
Qass 



J 



Book^ 



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HISTORY 



OF THE 



TOWN OF DANVERS, 



FROM ITS EARLY SETTLEMENT 



TO THE YEAR 1848, 



BY jfw- 'HANSON. 



*'IlSr MY POOR MIND IT IS MOST SWEET TO MUS] 

Upon THE days gone by!" — Char Us Lamb. 



DANVERS : 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 
Printed at the Courier Office. 

1848. 



vm 



Entered according to An Act of Congress, in the year 1848, by J 
W. Hanson, in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the Dis- 
trict of Massachusetts. 



P?. 



PREFACE. 



The Necessity of a Town History has been experienc- 
ed for many years by most of the citizens of Danvers. 
It could have been wished that some one qii^hfied for 
the task, had undertaken it before the decease of sev- 
eral, who carried much valuable information to the 
grave with them. Much that might have been pre- 
served for Posterity has been suffered to sink into Obli- 
vion. The compiler has sought every known source for 
information, has spent about a year and a half in re- 
searches, during which time he has travelled about 600 
miles on foot, to different parts of Danvers and Salem, 
besides several other journeys, — examined twenty-thous- 
and pages of manuscript, — ^perused several historical 
works, and made many pilgrimages to antiquated sires 
and matrons, and to moss grown grave-yards, where he 
has exercised the vocation of Old Mortahty, and sought 
information from those tablets which the remorseless tooth 
of time had nearly obscured. He believes that the ap- 
pearances of imperfection in this work could not well be 
avoided, and that nearly all is here recorded which time 
has spared. He confesses himself much indeb ted to 
Hon. Daniel P. King, John W. Proctor, Esq., Fitch 
Poole, Matthew Hooper, Charles M. Endicott, Matthew 
Stickney, and to the gentlemanly officers of the State 
Department, the Town Clerk, Salem City Clerk, Clerk 
of the Courts, Judge of Probate, the different Parish 
Clerks, Clergymen in Danvers, &c. All whom he has 
consulted have seemed to vie with each other in for- 
warding his plans, and he takes this method of return- 






PREFACE. 



ing his sincere thanks. To avoid disfiguring the follow- 
ing pages, he here gives general credit for the items he 
has received and recorded: Authentic Tradition, Pen- 
sion and Muster Rolls, Probate Records, Registry of 
Deeds, Court of Records, Salem Records, Danvers 
Records, Church and Parish Records, diiferent Socie- 
ty Records, several Manuscripts, Mathers Magnalia, 
Provincial Records, Mass. Hist. Coll., Journals Prov. 
Cong., Hubbard's Hist. N. E., Early Hist. N. E., Up- 
ham- s Lectures, Hutchinson's History of Massachu- 
setts, Pelt's Annals, Barber's Hist. Coll., King's Eu- 
logy and Address, American Archives, Thatcher's 
Essay, Lincoln's Journals, Calef 's Wonders, Celebrat- 
ed Trials, Wads worth's Discourse, files of Essex Ga- 
zette, Salem Register, Salem Observer, Danvers 
Courier and A\Tiig, — and other authorities. The Com- 
piler has carefully abstained from recording matter which 
does not strictly belong to the History of the Toivn^ and 
he has sought, so far as he could, to compress the mat- 
ter into as small space as possible. It will be seen that 
he has followed the general plan of Stone's History of 
Beverly, a well arranged work. 

It is interesting in the highest degree, for the man 
of to-day, to gaze into the Past, and trace the miracle 
of success which almost every town in the Old Bay 
State presents. 

The dim primeval woods, dripping with dews, in 
whose gothic aisles strange mysterious echoes travelled, 
— in whose solitary fastnesses, troops of dun deer, packs 
of prowling wolves, the sly fox, the clumsy bear, the 
fierce catamount, and the painted savage, glided like 



PREFACE. 



the shadows of a dream, — all have gone. The wonder- 
fid changes of two hundred years can hardly be realiz- 
ed. Two hundred years ago, "where we now sit, cir- 
cled by all that embellishes and exalts civilized Hfe, the 
rank thistle nodded in the wind, and the wild fox dug 
his hole unscared. Here lived and loved another race 
of beings. Beneath the same sun that rolls over us, 
the Indian hunter pursued the panting deer, — gazing on 
the same moon that smiles onus, the Indian lover wooed 
his dusky mate. Here they worship' d, and from many 
a dark bosom, went up a prayer to the great Spirit. 
Here too, they warred, — the echoing whoop, the defying 
death-song, — all were here, and when the tiger strife 
was over, here curled the smoke of Peace." Two hun- 
dred years have passed, and what a change. When the 
morning sun arises from his ocean pillow, he does not 
look upon ancient forest, silent river, nor upon some 
sanguinary Indian fight. Strangely have the trees 
been transformed into palace and cottage, by the touch 
of the magic wand of Industry, while each stream 
moves the mingling din of loom and belt and wheel, 
and where the death grapple of red men stained the 
sod, hamlet and village are seen. The woods have 
fled, savage beasts and savage men have passed away, 
and hammer, and axe, and scythe, and plane are urged 
by the disciples of Industry. No longer here the 
"moping owl does to the moon complain," — no longer 
Silence rests upon the ancient realm of Nahumkiek, 
but Religion, Education, and Labor, — a holy Trinity — 
have planted temples on every hill and in every vale, 
along each winding stream, and around each silver 



VI PREFACE. 



lake, and to the ear of Heaven, ascends tlie ceaseless 
1mm of Human Life. 

The progress at first was slow. A few adventurous 
men with sturdy arms and glittering axe, let in the 
sunlight on the virgin sod ; — with cautious steps they 
threaded the echoing woodpaths, and startled the wild 
beast and timid bird. Glad of escape from religious 
persecution, they made each day vocal with prayer 
and praise, — and yet, forgetful of their wrongs, — they 
burned and hung poor quakers and baj^tists without 
mercy. They acted as they knew, and Avhib the form 
of Bigotry sits at our own tables, and glares upon those 
who differ from us, it does not well become us to re- 
proach our ancestry. If they forgot human rights, and 
striped and branded heretics, they thought they were 
verily doing God service, and their fault should not be 
laid at their door, while the church and the school-house 
stand, and the hardy morals which they planted shall 
continue to blossom and adorn our generation. They 
were sincere; they had that sound core of honesty 
which in these days we look for and hope to find. 

From the early hour of the settlement of Danvers, 
change has followed change, like wave pursuing wave, 
to the present day. The foot-journey out to "the vil- 
lage" from Salem, the laborious felhng of the forest, the 
planting of the first crops, the contest with wild ani- 
mals, the occasional visit from an Indian, or a warlike 
visit to an Indian settlement, the musket-guarded ser- 
vice of the Sabbath, the Awful Delusion of 16 92, the 
spiritual struggle with Satan's emissaries, the long dark 



battle with foreign foes, the dawn of National Inde- 






PREFACE. vii 



penclence and prosperity, and the present noon of tri- 
umph — all these have been here. In each of these has 
Danvers participated. 

To those whose birth was cast here, — those who in 
the long sunny days of summer played here, who first 
learned to gaze upon the stars and watch the moon go 
down behind these hills, who can look back upon a hfe 
passed here, these pages will be pleasing so far as 
they reflect the Past. 

"Our Fathers, where are they ?" "Instead of the 
fathers, are the children." While therefore the chil- 
dren may know the experience of the fathers, let them 
profit thereby, — and, above all, let them so conduct, as 
that, when their Experience shall be History to those 
who shall follow them, it miay read a profitable lesson. 



GEiNERAL ACCOUNT. 

CHAPTER I. 

The Town of Danveks, County of Essex, State of 
Massachusetts, is situated 15 miles N. N. E. from Bos- 
ton, 23 miles E. S. E. from Lowell, 16 mHes S. E. 
from Lawrence, in 42o 32' North Latitude, and 70o 
55^ West Longitude, and is bounded north by Middle- 
ton and Topsfield, east by Wenham, Beverly, and Sa- 
lem, south by Salem, Lynnfield and Lynn, and west by 
Lynnfield and Middleton. 

The general aspect of the Town is rather level, 
though it is diversified Avith numerous gentle, and pre- 
cipitous elevations. Lying near the verge of the wild 
domain of Ocean, it is fortified by many of those rocky 
ramparts which the hand of Nature has reared to repel 
the wild encroachments of the Deep. The soil rests on 
a foundation of Sienite, — ^is composed of 3fo soluble 
geine, 6fo insoluble geine, and 2i^o sulphate of lime, and 
is generally very productive, being mainly a brownish 
loam, abounding in peat, gravel, and clay, from which a 
large number of bricks, and all kinds of pottery are 
made. There is an exhaustless supply of sienite from 
which the choicest millstones are manufactured, equal 
to any in the world,' and some -fine specimens of quartz 
have been found, of which No. 1312 in the State Col- 
lection is a sample. There are many valuable farms 
yielding rich crops of hay, grain and vegetables, and a 
large abundance of excellent fruit. Iron ore of a fine 
quality has been procured on the estate of Hon. D. P. 



10 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

King, and copper ore was found at the Orchard Farm 
previous to the death of its original proprietor. 

The whole area of Danvers occupies about 17000 
acres, of which there are about 132 acres of fresh wa- 
ter ponds, 300 acres of salt rivers and creeks, 1200 
acres of woodland, 1000 acres of rocky waste land, up- 
wards of 11,000 acres of occupied and cultivable land, 
and 80 miles of road. It is 8 miles long from North to 
South, and 64 miles wide from East to West. 

Besides the tall and graceful poplar, the fir, the balm 
of Gilead, and the elm, — which combines in one form 
the pendent gracefulness of the willow, the strength 
of the oak, and the aspiring reach of the pine and 
hemlock, — the larch, and other trees which adorn our 
streets and rural residences, the native trees and 
shrubs are the white and pitch pine, white spruce, 
hackmatack, arbor vitie, red and white cedar, juniper, 
ground hemlock, white, swamp, scarlet, red, black and 
bear oak, chesnut, beach, witch and beaked hazel, 
hornbeam, butternut, shellb ark-hickory, mockernut, 
pignut, black, yellow and white birch, common alder, 
Dutch and wax myrtles, sweet fern, buttonwood or syc- 
amore, American aspen, swamp and other willows, white 
and slippery elms, tupelo, sassafras, fever-bush, privet, 
white and black ash, winter-berry, button-bush, bush 
honeysuckle, elder, naked and sweet viburnums, arrow- 
wood, water andromeda, clethra, swamp pink, rhodora, 
kalmia, whortleberry, high and low blueberry, cran- 
berry, alternate leaved, red stemmed, panicled, flower- 
ing cornel, currant, gooseberry, spirea, meadow sweet, 
hardback, raspberry, high and low blackberry, clematis, 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 11 f 

white thorn, chokeberry, swamp pyrus, black and choke- 
cherry, locust, fox grape, Virginian creeper, Jersey tea, 
climbing staff tree, red and white maple, staghorn, poi- 
son and dwarf sumach, poison ivy, bass-wood, barberry, 
green brier, eglantine, swamp rose and thimbleberry. 
The cowberry, a species of cranberry, is a very uncom- 
mon plant. According to Emerson's Report of the 
Trees and Shrubs of Massachusetts, it is found in but 
one place in ' the state, namely, in a pasture near Mr. 
A. Putnam's, where it was found in 1820 by William 
Oakes, Esq. Torrey however thinks it has been found 
on Monadnock mountain. At all events it is very 
rare. 

This vicinity offers pleasant mducements to those 
who seek medicine from the vegetable productions, or 
instruction from the "Floral Apostles" of Earth, of 
whom it has been said : 

"Your voiceless lips are living prenchers. 

Each cup a pulpit, every leaf a book, 
Supplying Fancy numerous teachers 

From loneliest nook." 

In different parts of the town may be found the fami 
lies of grasses, mosses, lichens, plantains, cresses, ferns, 
the wild teazel, (very rare,) life everlasting, cudweed, 
pennywort, duckmeat, thoroughwort, colored willow 
herb, partridge berry, water horehound, hellebore, py- 
rola, strawberry, johnswort, brake, Canadian cistus, that 
pretty recluse that so successfully eludes the eye of 
the Botanist the tall Jacob's ladder, the gentle sister- 
hood of violets, yarrow, crowfoot, blue flag, spotted 
geranium, Canada snapdragon, dwarf ginseng, common, 



12 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 

running and Norway cinquefoil, blue lioustonia, wood- 
wax, — which at some seasons gilds many acres with 
gold,— cardinal flower and other species of lobeHa, Vir- 
ginia thyme, side-flowering skullcap, — once supposed to 
cure the bite of a mad dog, blue curls, burr marigold, 
conedisk sunflower, asters, purple gerardia, hawkweed, 
ladies' tresses, fringed gentian, golden-rod, waterlilies, 
anemone, samphire, strawberry blite, speedwell, bladder- 
wort, nightshade, galium, bugloss, houndstongue, sever- 
al species of loosestrife, bindweed, henbane, lady's slip- 
per, pipewort, millfoil, calla, dragon-root, moth mullein, 
pimpernel, bellflower, arrowhead, fever root, thesium, 
dogbane, Indian hemp, butterfly weed, milkweed, dod 
der, saltwort, goosefoot, sanicle, angelica, cicuta, sarsar 
parilla, spikenard, Virginia flax, sundew, mnrshrose- 
mary, Canada garlic, star of Bethlehem, Solomon's 
seal, bellwort, drsecena, erithromium, sweet flag, bay- 
onet bush, cucumber root, trilHum, Virginia rhexia, 
golden saxifrage, water pepper, partridge bush, Ameri- 
can senna, sidesaddle, motherwort, hempnettle, vervain, 
trichostema, lopseed, linnea, cowheat, figwort, snapdrag- 
on, painted cup, monkeyflower, snakehead, hibiscus, 
caducous, poligalia, lupine, trefoil, lespedesos, peavine, 
groundnut, St. John's wort, succory, prenanthes, ha- 
tris, coniza, elecampane, groundsel, eighteen species 
of asters, mayweed, coreopsis, orchises, arethusa, ad- 
ders tongue, dragon's claw, besides many others too 
common to demand specification. 

S. P. Fowler and Dr. George Osgood afforded much 
assistance in arranging the foregoing list of plants. 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 13 | 

_ ^ 

An occasional fox or a rattlesnake, a few rabbits and i 
perhaps a lynx, are all that remain where old Parson ! 
Higginson assures us he saw "manje lyons," and other | 
terrible monsters. j 

There are several fine sheets of water, and many j 
small though beautiful streams. Brown's pond, named j 
for an early grantee, in the southern portion of the | 
town covers 30 acres ; Bartholomew's pond, — one of | 
the most charming, secluded spots in the State, named : 
also for a grantee, situated about I of a mile north of i 
Brown's, contains 5 acres ; Cedar pond, 1\ miles north- i 
west, contains 15 acres. In this pond Goldthwaite's j 
brook takes its rise, and running easterly, passes j 
through Foster's millpond, and joining with Proctor's j 
brook empties into the Mill pond in South Danvers. ; 
Humphrey's pond, named for John of that name, is i 
situated in Lynnfield and Danvers,- — say about 80 acres i 
in the latter place. Proctor's brook rises in Gardiner's ; 
swamp and joins Goldthwaite's. North River runs from ; 
the mill pond in the south parish, and passing through \ 
Salem empties into the harbor. Water's river rises near | 
the Newbury port turnpike, and empties into Porter's. | 
Beaver-dam brook takes its rise near the 17th milestone ! 
on the Newburyport turnpike, and runs a northerly and i 
south-easterly course until it makes the Crane river, ., 
which empties into Porter's. Nichol's brook rises in 
the northern part of the town, and runs into Topsfield. | 
Frostfish brook rises near the northern boundary of ' 
Danvers, and running south it forms Porter's river, the : 
channel of which is the boundary between Beverly and ; 
Danvers. Porter's river empties into Bass River. ' 



m 



14 IIISTOKY OF DAXVERS. 

Ipswich or Agawam river is the boundary between 
Danvers and Middleton. Besides these are many 
smaller streams not of sufficient importance to require 
notice. AVater for culinary purposes is abundant and 
extremely good, and, as most of the rock is insoluble, 
the water is preserved pure, and entirely free from that 
brackish taste, so noticeable to the stranger in most of 
the water found near the sea coast. 

Among the eminences deserving of mention are Bald 
Rock, a bold summit on the edge of Bartholomew's val- 
ley, — Shaw's Rock, Ship Rock,King'Sj Prescott's, Bux- 
ton's, Walden's, Gardner's, Mt. Pleasant or Hog, Up- 
ton's, Cook's, Endicott's,Hathorne's, and Dale's hills, — 
from each of which may be enjoyed charming prospects 
of the surrounding country. 

The Traveller from Boston, would be likely to enter 
the Town at its southern extremity. Here the soil is 
generally very rocky, greenstone, covered by sienite, 
and supports a thrifty growth of forest trees, principally 
oak and pine. The sienite region extends from the 
southern boundary to Proctor's brook, in a northerly di- 
rection, and westward into Lynn. As he passes along 
the old Boston road, he skirts the margin of Brown's 
pond, a charming sheet of water, and, if he will strike 
across the fields from thence, a little west of north, he 
will behold Bartholomew's pond, one of the sweetest spots 
in New England. Situated as it is in the most uneven 
and woody portion of the town, it is entirely secluded 
by groves and hills, without even a road to lead to the 
spot. Passing along the same road he will shortly en- 
ter the south parish, (a) the largest village in the Town. 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 15 

Here he will see business on every hand, and the hairy 
garments of slaughtered animals which surround him, 
will remind him that the principal occupation of the in- 
habitants is tanning and dressing different kinds of 
leather, or manufacturing the same into boots and shoes. 
Indeed if he shall ever meet a man from Danvers in 
another part of the world, he may take the fact of his 
nativity 2iS 2)rima facie evidence that he at least under- 
stands the nature of leather. The Old South church 
and Bell Tavern having passed away, the Monument 
and the Grave of Eliza Wharton are the principal ob- 
jects of interest remaining. As he passes on he leaves 
the beautiful Harmony Grove in Salem on his right 
hand, and bearing away in a northeastly course about 
two miles he will pass over the ancient Orchard Farm, 
on which stands the Old Endicott Pear Tree, and will 
reach the enterprising village — New Mills, the only 
seaport in the Town. A mile further north he arrives 
at the Plains, a village noted for the thrift and indus- 
try of its inhabitants. Still further on in the same di- 
rection on the Topsfield road he passess through Put- 
nam ville, formerly known as Blind Hole, from a swamp 
still further north. Thence in a western line, a short 
distance and crossing Nichol's brook and reaching the 
Newburyport Turnpike, he will follow it nearly south, 
and passsing the finest farms and estates and Hum- 
phrey's pond, he will reach the South Reading road in 
Lynnfield, and then turning east, he will pass the Poor 
House and Rocks village, situated near Goldthwaite's 
brook, which is at the bottom of a valley, once the bed 
of a large lake. At the first road intersecting the road 



16 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

he is on, he -will direct his course north and passing the 
Collins House, where Gov. Gage resided in 1774, and 
the old Parris House vfhere the witchcraft delusion com- 
menced, he -will go through Tapleyville, and then, a 
short distance further he will enter the ancient Salem 
Village, having travelled about seventeen miles. 

He will have seen a fine variety. Danvers is both 
City and Country. The South Parish extends into Sa- 
lem and is essentially one with Salem, while further 
north the scenery presents so rural an aspect, that the 
stranger can scarcely fancy himself so near the cities 
and the seas. There are rough sienite acclivities, (b) 
from which are fine views of the seacoast and the 
neighboring towns, precipitous glens, dark woods, beauti- 
ful miniature lakes reflecting the blue of heaven, and 
brightly glancing streams murmuring along the sward 
with liquid sounds of peace, — broad savannahs waving 
with rustling grass, yellow with golden corn, or embrown, 
ed with the shadows of sturdy trees, that are white 
with blossoms, or bend low with mellow fruit, relieved 
by billowy hills that swell along the landscape, or dotted 
with villages and solitary residences and farmhouses, 
the scene is beautiful as well as suggestive of Industry 
and Peace. Beholding the air of comfort and indepen- 
dence, and witnessing the enterprise and business zeal 
for which the Town has become a proverb, and feeling 
the bosom expand with the generous liberal spirit which 
surrounds the community like an atmosphere, the be- 
holder of to-day can scarcely realize that he stands 
where witches were tried and executed, and Bigotry, 
an ugly fiend, once poisoned the air with his breath. 



1 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 17 



Formerly distinguished for intolerance, austerity and 
gloom, the Town is now equally known for its enterprise, 
and the spirit of liberality it breathes ; — Salem Village 
has become Dan vers. 

NOTES TO CHAPTER I. 

(a) Names. The South village was originally call ''Erooksby,'' 
from I he convergence of Go'dlhvvaite's and Proctor's brooks, orginal- 
ly called South and North brook, near the Old South. When the 
parish lines were drawn it was called "the Middle Precinct," or South 
Parish, because of its situation south of the Village, between it 
and Salem proper. The Village was originally styled "the Farmers 
Range," and afterwards Salem Village, to distinguish it from Salem 
proper. The Plains belonged to the Porter family, and were com- 
monly called "IMr. Porter's plaine," on account of the even surface 
which his farm presented. "New JMills" was called at first "Mr. 
Skeitt.n's neck," owing to the peculiar formation of the land granted 
toMr. Skelton, and the name was changed to New Mills, from the 
wheat mills belonging to Arhcelaus Putnam which were erected in 
1754. The Indian name of the neck was WahquacJc, Rocks village 
obtains its name from the rocks around it, and Putnamville and Tap- 
Jeyville are named from enterprising gentlemen who bear the names 
of Tapley and Putnam. 

(b) "The sienite is inexhaustible, and the demand for it, manu- 
ufactured into millstones and prepared for building and other purpos- 
es, must increase annually. The extensive beds of clay — situated so 
near navigable waters and flourishing towns and villages, is another 
sure source of wealth or at laast a comfortable maintainance to many 
inhabitants. The water powers, and last, though not least, a pro- 
ductive soil and ready market, to reward the labors of numerous far- 
mers and horticulturists, render this one of the most eligible situations 
in the county. The town is distinguished for the sobriety, industry 
and economy of its inhabitants; and has for many years jiast been 
ranked among the most thriving and prosperous towns in the county," 

Essex Memorial.. 

Errata to Chapter I, On page 10, instead of 1200 acre? of 
woodland, read 3000, and add 50 acres of saltmarsh and 1200 acres 
of fresh meadows. 



18 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 



CHAPTER II. 

SETTLEMENT. 

A company that had been engaged in a fishing enter- 
prise between England and Cape Ann about the year 
1625, the members of which had witnessed the success 
with which the Plymouth Colony had met, and the facili. 
ties which were lying unimproved in the region of Cape 
Ann, carried such tidings to the Old World as inspired 
many of the more adventurous among the English Dis- 
senters, with a desire to establish a people "whose God 
should be the Lord" in this portion of the western wil- 
derness. Rev. John White of Dorchester, England, 
made several attempts to establish a colony in this 
neighborhood, which had been thus favorably represent- 
ed to him, but it was not until the year 1628 that he 
could prevail upon a company to embark. 

On the 6th of September in that year, John Endicott 
set sail from England, accompanied by about one hun- 
dred persons, having in his possession a grant, convey- 
ing all the land lying between the Merrimac and Charles 
Rivers, to Sir Henry Rowell, Sir John Young, Thomas 
Southcott, John Humphrey, John Endicott, Simon 
Whetcomb, and their heirs and associates forever. The 
bounds extended "three miles to the northward of Mer- 
rimac River, and three miles to the southward of 
Charles River, and in length within the described 
breadth from the Atlantic Ocean to the South Sea." 

When the company landed at Salem or Naumkiek as 
it was then called, they found a small company already 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 19 

settled there, and nine houses which they had erected. 
The hitter on the arrival of Mr. Endicott's company, 
immediately migrated to Charlestown, leaving Naum- 
kiek in the possession of Mr. E's company. This Indi- 
an name has generally been supposed to belong exclu- 
sively to this portion of territory as a proper name. 
Such is not the fact ; JVaumTciek signifies "a good fishing 
place," and was applied by the Aborigines to the spot 
occupied b^^ the city of Lowell, and to other places 
where they found plenty of fish. When the settlers 
first landed they caught 1600 bass at a draught. 

Thus in 1628 there were but nine houses and one 
hundred people, occupying the large territory called Sa- 
lem, including besides the present city of that name, the 
towns of Beverly, Manchester, Wenham, Marblehead, 
Danvers, and parts of Topsfield and Middleton. This 
entire spot, — this "good fishing place," was owned by 
the Naumkiek's, a branch of the Massachusetts tribe. 
They had a village at Northfields, and as late as 1725 
were accustomed to visit the soil which their fathers trod 
in majesty. Human remains and implements of war 
have been exhumed at Northfields, at New Mills, and in 
other parts of the town. When Mr. Endicott and his 
company landed there were no Indians at Naumkiek, 
though the owners of the soil dwelt not far off. Of 
those owners the soil was purchased, as too much of 
this continent has been obtained. A deed was signed, 
land was received, and a miserable recompense render- 
ed. Mr. Endicott however, had been instructed to ob- 
tain the consent of the red men before occupying their 
inheritance, and he fulfilled the letter of the injunction. 



20 HISTORY OF DA^VERS. 



The deed is recorded in Felt's Annals of Salem. Mr. 
Higginson gives the following description of the Naum- 
kieks. 

"For their governors, they have kings, T^hich they 
call Saggainores, some greater and some lesser, ac- 
cording to the number of their subjects. The greater 
Saggamores about us cannot make above three hundred 
men, and other lesse Sagamores have not above fifteen 
subjects, and others neerc about us but two. Their 
subjects, above t^Yelve years since, were swept away by 
a great and grevious plague, that was amongst them, 
so that their are verie few left to inhabite the country. 
The Indians are not able to make use of the one fourth 
part of the land, neither have they any settled places, 
as townes to dwell in, nor any ground as they challenge 
for their own possession, but change their habitation 
from place to place. 

"For their statures, they are a tall and strong lim- 
med people, their colours are tawney, they goe naked, 
save onely they are in part covered with beasts' skins 
on one of their shoulders, and weare something before 
their privities ; their haire is generally blacke, and cut 
before, like our gentele women, and one locke longer 
than the rest, much like to our gentelmen, -which fash- 
ion, I thinke, came from hence into England. 

"For their weapons, they have bowes and arrowes, 
some of them headed with bone, and some with brasse. 
I have sent you some of them for an example. 

"The men, for the most, live idely ; they do nothing 
but hunt and fish. Their wives set their corne and do 
all their other ^vork. They have little houshold stuffe. 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 21 

as a kettle and some other vessels, like trayes, spoones, 
dishes, and baskets. Their houses are very little and 
homely, being made with small poles, pricked into the 
ground, and so bended and fastened at the tops and 
on the sides, they are matted with boughs and covered 
on the roof with sedge and old mats ; and for their beds 
that they take their rest on, they have a mat. 

"They doe generally professe to like well of our 
coming and planting here ; partly because their is a^ 
bundance of ground, that they cannot possesse nor 
make use of, and partly because our being here will bee 
a meanes both of rehef to them when they want, and, 
also, a defence from their enemies, wherewith (I say) 
before this plantation began, they were often indangered. 

"For their religion, they do worship two Gods, a 
good and an evil God. The good God they call Tan- 
tum, and their evil God, whom they fear will doe them 
hurt, they call Squantum. 

"For their dealing with us, we neither fear them nor 
trust them, for fourtie of our musketeeres will drive 
five hundred of them out of the field. We use them 
kindly ; they will come into our houses sometimes by half 
a dozen or half a score at a time, when we are at vict- 
uals, but will ask or take nothing but what we give them." 

Mr. Endicott procured materials for building a house 
of the Dorchester company, and immediately erected a 
"faire house." But misfortune attended his steps. 
His wife died a year after his arrival, and sickness and 
disease attended the infant colony. "Some had scarce- 
ly a place to lay their heads, or food to satisfy the 
cravings of hunger. A large proportion of them died 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 



with tlie scurvy and other diseases, and while sickness 
was making its ravages among them, they were desti- 
tute of medical assistance." Add to these disasters the 
constant fear of massacre from the Indians, and we 
may imagine the perplexities and sorrows of the pilgrim 
strangers. Indeed, hardly -had they arrived, when the 
serenity of the First Day was broken by the fearful re- 
port, that the Indians one thousand strong were coming 
down from Saugus to massacre the few fainthearted 
wanderers, (a) Companies of minute men were or- 
ganized in different parts of ISIassachusetts Bay settle- 
ments, to defend the lonely homes of the settlers. As 
soon as the puritans commenced their towns they were 
sadly troubled also by Quakers, who sought asylums 
from oppression, and who were treated with worse rigor 
than in the Old "World. In 1630 a great controversy 
commenced betAveen the people of Salem and the Qua- 
kers, BroAvnists, Mrs. Hutchinson, &c., which lasted 
many years, and in which the minority were of course 
whipped and hanged. Thus, temporal and spiritual 
foes beset them within and without ; — "devils, wicked 
men and salvages" seemed determined to destroy the 
colony by crushing its vernal germ. Food to sustain 
life was procured until the year 1631, when a severe 
famine visited them. Wheat was gladly bought at the 
exorbitant price of $3 per bushel, and corn at $2. 
The settlers were forced to subsist principally on mus- 
cles and clams, and the great predominance of animal 
over vegetable food produced the most frightful attacks 
of the scurvy. In the midst of their affliction they 
were delighted by being visited by such immense flocks 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 23 

of pigeons as obscured the sun. The Religious Senti- 
ment of the times easily detected a parallel between 
their own and the condition of the Israelites, and a 
strong faith pierced through present difficulties and be- 
held future triumphs. 

It is difficult to ascertain the precise time when the 
portion of Salem subsequently called Danvers was set- 
tled. Between 1630 and 1640 the work was accom- 
plished. Some of the grants in Brooksby or South 
Danvers were doubtless occupied first, and the Village, | 
and the vicinity of Amos King's, and different parts of 
the toAvn subsequently. In 1633 there were families 
living at Brooksby, and in 1635 John Humphreys re- 
ceived a portion of land in Danvers and Lynn, togeth- 
er with ''a pond with a little Ileland (c) containing 
about two acres." The boundary line between Lynn- 
field and Danvers passes through this island in Hum- 
phrey's pond. Five years later, namely, Dec. 31, 
1638," "Agreed and voted, that there should be a Vil- 
lage granted to Mr. Phillips and his company vppon 
such conditions as the 7 men appointed for the towne 
affairs shall agree on." Who composed this company 
is not known but this enterprise was the origin of Sa- 
lem Village, or North Danvers. Be v. John Phillips 
the leader arrived in Salem in 1638, and was admitted 
a townsman Jan. 26, 1610. The Village grant was 
ceded to him, on conditions that he should remain a 
long time, but he soon returned to Old England. He 
appears to have been a worthy man, whose expectations 
were not realized in Massachusetts, and whose discon- 
tent forced him away. 



24 HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 

Those grants however, to which reference has been 
made, were incipient steps to settlement, and houses 
soon began to spring up in different parts of the town, 
both at Brooksby and the Village, and Nov. 28th 1639 
the Court passed the following order : "Whereas, the 
inliabitants of Salem have agreed to plant a Village 
near the River which runs to Ipswich, it is ordered that 
all the lands near their bounds between Salem and the 
said River not belonging to any other town or person 
by any former grant, shall belong to the said Village." 
The people of Topsfield afterward claimed that this 
grant had reference to that town, but the river here 
referred to, is manifestly the Ipswich river, and the 
phraseology plainly designates Salem Village. In 
1672 an additional grant was made to the Village of 
the land on the northerly side of Ipswich road to the 
wooden bridge, and "so, on a west line." In 1686 
the Village Precinct declared by a solemn vote that 
these grants referred exclusively to itself. The people 
affirmed that they had employed the described lands 
for forty years, considered them as theirs, and were 
both ready and willing to go forward and defend their 
claim. It is not possible to give a systematic narra- 
tion of the town's settlement, commencing with the 
first individual, and chronicluig each in his turn. A 
few of the first settlers, and grantees, so far as they 
can be sifted from those in other parts of Salem, are 
given below. 

The Orchard Farm consisting of 300 acres was given 
to Gov. John Endicott as the first grant, in the year 
1632, and on account of Endicott's services the gift 



m 



HISTORY OP DANVERS. 



was confirmed by the Colonial Authorities July 3d., 
1632. It was called '^a necke of land lyeing about 
3 myles from Salem." (b) This neck of land 
was called by the Indians Wahquamesehcok, signifying 
Birch-wood — Porter's river, then called Wooleston, was 
its eastern boundary, Crane river, then called Duck, its 
Northern, and Water's, then called Cowe house, its 
Southern boundary. The Indian name of Porter's way 
Orkhussunt, of Crane was Conamabsqnooncant, of 
Waters was Soewampenessett. Of course the land di- 
verged from Porter's river, following the margins of 
Water's and Crane rivers until the 300 acres were com- 
pleted. As there were no roads in this part of Salem, 
when the stanch old Governor visited his Orchard, he 
was forced to embark at Salem, and after passing up 
Beverly harbor. Porter's and Water's river, land at 
about the spot where the Iron Works are located. The 
cultivation of this land was commenced in 1633. Gov. 
E. enjoyed several other grants in different sections of 
Naumkeik. Mill River was in 1639 the name of a 
small stream passing west of the Pear Tree. 

The Orchard Farm remained in the possession of the 
family until 1828. It is now principally owned by Ben- 
jamin Porter Esq. On this farm is the far-famed local- 
ity, the Endicott Pear Tree, supposed to have been 
planted by Gov. Endicott himself. Concerning the age 
of this tree are conflicting opinions. Joselyn in 1639 
says — "there is not a single apple-tree or pear-tree in 
all the colonys.'* It must therefore have been planted 
as late as 1640. The precise date cannot be ascer- 
tained, though there is a tradition in the Endicott fam- 



26 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 



ily that this sylvan relic was brought over in 1630. If 
so, it must have been planted elsewhere first. It is ut- 
terly impossible that the imported shoot could have been 
preserved out of the earth ten years. It Joselyn was 
correct, the tradition is not true. Another fact, is that 
the farm was not cultivated until 1633, and that the 
Gov. did not own the land until two years after it is alleged 
the tree was imported. Either the shoot was brought 
over subsequent to 1639, or Joselyn did not know of 
its existence, and if it was in this country at all, it must 
have been at the Governor's town residence until after 
the farm was cultivated. At all events, the tree bears 
unquestionable marks of age. The main part has slight- 
ly decayed, but it has sent out vigorous suckers, and 
bears an abundance of fruit. It looks likely to live a 
century longer. The man of the present day, as he 
stands beneath its shadow, cannot repress the mingling 
emotions which rise in his Soul. In its nestling boughs 
he surveys the past, — and beholds the 



ight of other days. 



[view of the kndicott pear tree.] 




HISTORY OF DANVERS. 27 

Immediately above him was and is another neck of 
land (c.) now known as New Mills. It was origi- 
nally granted to Rev. Samuel Skelton, the colleague 
of Higginson in the pastorship of the first church in 
Salem, for his sacrifice in leaving Old England, — and 
consisted of 200 acres. It is bounded on the east by 
Porter's or Orkhussunt river, on the south by the 
same together with the Ponomenneuhcant, a small 
stream which passes through Page's brick yard, and 
empties into Porter's river, on the south by the Duck, 
Conamabsqnooncant, or Crane river, and on the west, 
like Endicott's, by the main land. The neck thus 
granted, vras called by the Indians, Wahquack, which 
certainly expresses the note uttered by a duck, per- 
fectly, and suggests the thought that this marshy 
neck, so nearly surrounded by water, ^must have been 
a fine place for ducks. This opinion amounts almost 
to a certainty when we remember that the first settlers 
styled Crane river. Duck river, (d.) This grant 
was made by the Colonial Authorities, while those that 
follow were made by the "7 men" of Salem, or by the 
people in town meeting. These grants are expressed 
in plainer terms than most of the rest, and indeed are 
the principal guides in locating other grants. Mr. 
Skelton came over in 1629. 

Richard Adams. 5 acres near Trask's Mill, Brooks- 
by. (b.) Uncertain. 

Robert Adams 1. g. 1638, moved to Newbury 
1640. Did not settle. 

John and Anthony Buxton 1. g. 1637. Brooks- 
by and Northfields. Settled. 



28 HISTORY or DANVERS. 



Edmund Batter 1. g. 1637 ; 30 acres Brooksby. 
Uncertain. 

Richard Bartholomew 1. g. 1637, near Bartholo- 
mew's pond. Settled. 

Henry Bartholomew arrived Nov. 7, 1635 ; 110 
acres near Whipple's Hill n. ^\. of orchard, d. Nov. 
22, 1692. Settled. 

Hugh, Samuel, John and Christopher Browne 
came in 1629, and settled in the southern portion. 

John Bachellor 1639 1. g. 20 acres near Toa^tl- 
send Bishop. Settled. 

Bev. George Burdett 10 acres joining Orchard on 
n. w. 1635. Did not settle. 
I Townsend Bishop g. 1. 1635, 300 acres, bounded 
E. by Orchard, N. by Crane river and Tapley's Brook, 
S. by the head of Water's river, and included Tapley- 
ville, Tapley's brick yards, ColHns House, &c., and 
extended nearly or quite as far as where the Essex 
Turnpike crosses Tapley's brook. Settled. 

Christopher Berry received land in 1640. 

William Clarke 200 acres in 1637, near Cedar 
pond. He came in 1629. Uncertain. 

John Corwin in 1668 owned land S. W. of Plains. 
Uncertain. 

Robert Cole received 300 acres in Brooksby, near 
Proctor's brook, in 1630. The lot must have in- 
cluded Wilson's corner and most of the land between 
the Village, Ipswich and Reading Roads. Settled. 

Giles Corey owned a portion of the land owned by 
Hon. D. P. King. The old cellar of his house yet re- 
mains. He was pressed to death in 1692. Settled. 



HISTORY OP DANVERS. 29 

Thomas Dixj, 1. g. 1637. Settled. 

Emanuel Downing, (f.) granted 500 acres of 
land in 1638, near Bishop's. This large tract in- 
cluded the Plains, and all the land between Beaver 
and Frostfish brooks, as far as the northern spur of 
Putnam's Hill. He had one hundred acres near 
Brooksby. Settled for a time. 

Richard Davenport came over with Endicott, and 
received 220 acres near Enon, or Wenham, — probably 
the northern portion of the town E. of the Topsfield 
road. He owned a few acres in Brooksbj. Settled. 

William Davis, land near Downing. Uncertain. 

Thomas Edwards, 60 acres in 1637 beyond Put- 
nam's. Uncertain. 

John Endicott. See ace. 

Richard EUiot, land in 1630. Drowned Feb. | 
5, 1662. Settled. | 

George Emery, marsh near Orchard. Uncertain. \ 

William Fimt, landed about 1640; died April 2, ' 
1673. Settled. I 

Nathaniel Felton, came in 1633. Settled. ij 

Robert Goodale 480 acres between Ipswich River, 
Reading road and Newburyport Turnpike. 16 3-. 
Settled. 

Thomas Goldthwaite 1. g. 1634. Settled. 

Samuel, Richard, John and Thomas Gardner g. 1. 
about 1637-49. Settled. 

Joshua Grafton 1649, part of a meadow south of 
Ipswich river. Uncertain. 

William Gingel, same. Uncertain. 

Wi'liam Hathorne received 200 acres in 1636, N. W. 'j 
m £5g 



30 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

of Newburjport Turnpike, between that and Middle- 
ton, — including Hathorne's Hill, provided he would 
leave the Dorchester Church, and join that of Salem. 
He was born in 1607, moved to Lynn in 1634, and to 
Salem in 1636. He was a member of Quar. Court 
in 1639. Settled. 

Richard Hutchinson, a lot in 1639. Settled. 

John Jackson part of a meadow south of Ipswich 
River. Uncertain. 

Lieut. Francis Johnson 200 acres in 1635, in the re- 
gion of King's Hill, and in the Southern part of Brooks- 
b}^. He afterwards relinquished this grant and received 
the same amount, ''1 myle further nere Seder pond," 
N. E. from Humphrey's. Settled. 

William King, L g. 1637. Settled, 

Lawrence Leech land near Blind Hole. Settled. 

Manasseth Marston land near Reading bounds. Un- 
certain. 

William Kichols 1638, near Hathorne's. Settled. 

WiUiam Osborne 1. g. 1638. Settled. 

Robert Page 1. g. 1638. Settled. 

Joseph Pope g. 1. 1637. Settled. 

George Porter in 1647 owned the Plains, from 
whom the name "Porter's Plains. Settled. 

John Phillips and Company — "Salem Village. Set- 
tled. 

John Putnam came from Buckingharrishire, England 
in 1629, with his three sons, and owned a large portion 
of North Danvers. He was born in 1683, and died 
1662, aged 79. He owned Wenham Woods. 

Thomas Putnam, eldest son of John, born 1618, 



HISTORY OP DANVERS. 31 

died 1699, aged 81. His patrimony was the land owned 
by Jesse and Daniel. 7 children. 

Nathaniel Putnam, second son of John, born 1621, 
died 1700, aged 79. His land was the estate of Hon. 
Samuel Putnam. He was a prominent man in the Vil- 
lage Church. 7 children. 

John Putnam, Jr., born 1630, died 1722, aged 92. 
He owned the farm since belonging to Col. Jethro, and 
Dr. Archelaus, one of which is owned by James A. 
All of this land has remained in the family since the 
settlement of Salem. 8 children. (Col. Perley Putnam 
kindly furnished these facts.) All the Putnams set- 
tled. John was very prominent in the councils of 
Salem. 

Daniel Ray, 1634, land near Jno. Putnam. Uncer- 
tain. 

John Ruck, 1638, land near Hathorne's. Settled. 

Col. Thomas Reed, received in 1630, 300 acres 
N. W. from Salem proper. Precise spot unknown. 
Settled. 

John Sibly 1. near Village 1638. Settled. 

John Symonds, 1. g. 1637. Settled. 

Samuel Smyth, in 1637, 150 acres "beyond the 
farmers." Uncertain. 

Lawrence and Cassandra Southwick, 1. g. 1637, 
Brooksby. See "Quakers." Settled. 

Rev. Samuel Sharpe, 300 acres near Marble mead- 
ows. Did not settle. 

Hugh Stacy, 1. g. 1640. Settled. 

Elias Stileman, land at the head of Tapley's brook. 
Settled. 



32 HISTOKY OF DANVERS. 

Job Swinnerton, 1. g. 1637. Settled. 

John Thorndike, a lot in 1635, near Needham's 
corner. Settled. 

Ralph Tomkins, land at head of Cowhouse river, 
1635. Uncertain. 

Wilham Trask, received about 50 acres near the 
head of North River, where he erected one of the first 
mills in Salem. Settled. 

Philip Yeren, (Very ?) land at the head of Cow- 
house River in 1637. Settled. 

Joshua Yeren (Yery ?) 1. g. 1635. Settled. 

Robert Whidden owned 20 acres in 1645, near Bish- 
op's and Putnam's. Settled. 

John White, land near Smyth's. Settled. 

Richard Waters, land near Water's River in 1637. 
Settled. Before the erection of a bridge, the ferry was 
known as Water's ferry. 

Bray Wilkins landed at Lynn in 1634, and removed 
to Yillage soon after. 

William Walcott 1. g. 1637. Settled. 

Francis Weston 50 acres near Stileman's in 1633. 
Settled. 

The Horse Pasture formerly called the Great Pas- 
ture contained 490 acres. The westerly line begun at 
the head of North River, and running N. W. on the 
W. side of Prescott's Hill to the brook which runs into 
Water's River, ended near Matthew Hooper's farm. A 
four rail fence enclosed the pasture in 1642. 

The foregoing notices of individuals are purposely 
very brief, as it was found impossible to enter at all in- 
to their genealogy, and as it was hoped that some one 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 33 

would at some future day collect the genealogies of 
the principal families in the town. Such a work would 
be a valuable addition to the historic lore of the Coun- 
try. 

Besides the above, the Proctors removed here from Ips- 
wich in 1660, the Pooles from Cambridge in 1690, the 
Fosters from Lynn, the Suttons from Rowley, the Jacobs 
in 1700, the Needhams, Prcstons, Cheevers, Shillabers, 
Doutys, Holtens, and other prominent and respectable 
families at different periods. The compiler had it in his 
original design, to give genealogical sketches,- — but when 
the reader reflects, that some of the families, as for in- 
stance the Putnams actually number several thousand liv- 
ing, and also, that it is impossible to decide on most of the 
names recorded, whether they lived within the present 
limits of Danvers, or in some other portion of Salem, he 
feels that he will be excused for the small number of 
names presented, and the few particulars. Those who 
read, can have no conception of the labor he has per- 
formed, in accomplishing so little, (g.) 

So great a scarcity prevailed in 1633 that a good 
cow could not be bought for less than $125, while an 
ordinary female goat was valued at ^20. The next 
year prices Avere generally reduced, so that corn was 
but 75 cts. per bushel, and brass farthings weresupersed- 
ed by musket bullets. In 1636 an important expedition 
was directed against the Pequods, in which ninety men 
under the command of Mr. Endicott were engaged. 
A few Indians were killed and wounded, some corn and 
several wigwams burned, and but two white men were 
lost. June 1st 1637, a very violent earthquake occur- 



34 HISTORY O? DAN VERS. 

red. It passed from east to west, and was so univer- 
sally and seriously felt, that it became a common say- 
ing ; *'So long after the earthquake." The winter of 
1638, was very severe, there was snow on the ground 
from Nov. 4. to March 23d. The following summer 
was remarkably dry, — vegetation suffered very much. 
The winter of 1642 was so cold that Salem harbor froze 
to Baker's Island. 

Corn was very scarce in 1643, and muscles and clams 
became a substitute. A severe earthquake March 
5th. In June 1646 '^suddaine innumerable armies 
of catterpillars" nearly swept the land. They dis- 
appeared as suddenly as they came. This insect, 
about an inch in length destroyed nearly all the corn, 
wheat and barley. The following winter was very mild. 
"No snow all winter long." "Not corn enough to last 
two months in the whole country," May 10. 1647. In 
June the influenza prevailed. In 1648 a copper mine 
was discovered on the Orchard farm. The quality of 
the ore was tested by Mr. Leader, overseer of the Iron 
works at Lynn, and was pronounced good ; — the vein 
soon failed. Nov. 20th. was held as a day of fasting 
and prayer, "on account of sin, blasting, milldew, 
drought, grasshoppers, caterpillars and small pox in 
Massachusetts, and war and pestilence in England." 
Long hair was forbidden in 1649. Small pox prevail- 
ed the same year. In 1652 a splendid comet appear- 
ed in the Constellation Orion, and was visible two 
weeks in December. In the same year a mint was es- 
tablished at Boston. The coins of this date bore a pine 
tree and the word Massachusetts on one side, and N. 



HISTORY OF DANVER3. 35 f 

E. 1652, and III, VI, or XII on the reverse. Oct. 
29. 1653, a heavy earthquake. 1654 corn was 3s, 
rye 4s, and barley 5s per bushel. A severe epi- 
demic in 1655. In 1660, the winter was unusually 
severe. There were three earthquakes in 1663, Jan. 
26, Feb. 5, and July. The following year wheat was 
blasted, and a comet was visible from Nov. 17 to the 
4th. of the following February. Canker worms appear 
ed in 1666. In 1668 was a remarkable zodiackal light, 
or "sign in the heavens in the form of a spear, portend- 
ing Indian massacres." A great drought in 1670. 
In 1671 the widow of John Endicott received an annui- 
ty of .£30, to be continued during her widowhood. A 
petition was issued and granted the same year to form 
a military company at the Village. The Court allowed, 
that all who resided west of Ipswich highway, might be 
exercised by Lt. Richard Leach. Aug. 29, 1675 was 
a violent tornado, and in the year following, a fatal epi- 
demic prevailed. On Thanksgiving day, Dec. 4th, 
1676 occurred a storm unparalelled in the experience of 
the Colonists. The Newtonian Comet, which will visit 
us again in the year 2225 appeared in 1680. 

Great care was taken in those days, that the youth 
should be properly indoctrinated ; accordingly, responsi- 
ble persons were selected to examine and instruct the 
children of both sexes. In 1682 "Lt. John Putnam is 
desired, and is hereby empowered to take care yt ^ye 
law relateing to the Chatechising of children be duly 
attended at the Village, and that all the famylyes doe 
carefully and constantly attend the due education of 
their children and youth according to law." 



36 HISTORY OF DANVBRS. 

Sunday Feb. 8th, 1685, an earthquake, that disturb- 
ed public worship. The months of June and July 1686 
were very dry and hot, and a painful drought troubled 
the land. 

Daniel Andrews was sent as a Deputy to General 
Court in the year 1689. About this date there were 
several of the Village men slain in Indian engagements, 
though they were killed away from home. When the 
settlers of Salem landed, the Indians had vacated their 
former haunts, and never troubled our fathers except at 
a distance. Thus we have no tales of blood, of mid- 
night massacre and sudden ambuscade. April 1st, 1689 
John Bishop, and September 2d, the same year Nicholas 
Reed were killed by the Indians. In 1690, Godfrey 
Sheldon, Daniel Elliot, Thomas Alsob, Edward Crocker 
and George Ingersoll were killed, most of them at Casco 
Bay. Probably there were others, — ^if so their names 
and deeds have alike perished. The Village Company 
elected its officers this year as foUoAVS : Jonathan Wal- 
cott, Captain; Nathaniel Ingersoll, Lieutenant: and 
Thomas Flint, Ensign. 

As early as the year 1666 a desire prevailed at the 
Village to become a town by itself. Although "our 
neibors the farmers" were very desirous af a sepera- 
tion, the people of Salem as a Avhole, opposed the pro- 
ject. Even some of the Village prayed that they 
might not be compelled to "forsake Salem." Evi- 
dently, however, the people of the Village wanted a 
minister and a church of their own, though there seems 
to have been a disposition on the part of the church in 
Salem, to compel the people of the Village to cleave to 






m m 

I HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 37 



the former. The estabhshment of the Village Parish 
was not sufficient to pacify those who desired to form a 
distinct town. Some who lived in Salem, south of the 
village parish line, were favorable to the petition, pro- 
vided they could be included. Accordmgly, they is- 
sued the following petition : 
"ffebuary the 20—1689. 

We who are heare vnto subscribed, vnderstanding 
there is a motion of the vilHgo for a Township, vnto the 
Towne of Salem, which motion we doe comply with, 
provided we may have an inlargement, that is to say 
from Rum bridge (h.) down the Rever soe as the 
Rever runs all the proprietes and the common lying on 
the north side of the said Rever vntil we come to Beav- 
erly bounds : Now in case the town of Salem doe not 
see cause to grant our desiers we desier still to remaine 
to Salem as we are ; provided our just greauences may 
be removed. 

(Signed.) Joseph Houlton, Jr, Joseph Hutchinson, 
Job SAvinnerton, Daniell Andrew, Joseph Putnam, 
Nethanell Patnam, John Putnam, Beneamen Porter, 
Israel Porter, Thomas ffllint" 

The following document will show the style of a road 
petition. 

"To the Selectmen of ye Towne of Salem the humble 
petition of ye Inhabitants of Salem and Salem Villlage 
whose names are herevnto subscribed — 

''Humbly sheweth that j^our petitioners have had a free 
passage of A waye Between Thomas fflints and Joseph 
fflints this forty yeares and vpwards Till now Lately de- 



38 HISTORY OF BANTERS. 

prived of yt old waye by Thomas fflint ^ho hath turned 
ye Tvaye mto such a heidius place yt, there is noe pas- 
ing without great danger to ourselves and our Crea^ 
tures as yt some of vs know by great damage yt we have 
Received in that place : vnder pretence as we vnderstand 
that There was noe wa3'e laid out, Therefore the desire 
of youi' petitioners is yt you would be pleased to choose 
a committy yt maye laye out ye old waye which we 
are deprived of or some other conuenient waye w'h is 
ye best waye and less danger and yt we maye have ye 
same hberty That there maiestes alough there subiects 
ye most plainest and conuenient, and not vp hill and 
downe dale wh is all at present yt we have to trouble 
you at this tyme, we crave your favour to Rectifie ye 
above sd waye and for soe doeing we shall for Ever Re- 
maine youer Servants to Command — 

March ye 15 : 1694-5 

George Locker, John hill, phillip Losill, samuel Goold, 
Tho. Gold, Zacharie^ Goodale, sen. Thos. Businton, 
Joshua Buffum, John King, Samuell Gaskills, Joseph 
Pope, Benjamjn Pope, Zacharie Goodale, Jr. Samuel 
Aborn, Anthonie Needham Sen. Samuel Southwick. 

This way, was the road from Reading Road across Wil- 
liam Goodales. It has for some years been discontinued. 

The winter of 10 96 was the coldest ever known in 
Kew England. In the year 1699 there were great num- 
bers of bears in the woods, which destroyed corn and cat- 
tle, and were with great difficulty exterminated. In 1700 
Jan. 30th, an earthquake, Feb. 26th. another. May 
2d. 1701 a remarkable hailstorm commenced and. raged 



&. 



HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 39 

three days. The stones were so large as to kill many 
cattle. During the following year an incurable malady 
called the ''fever and flux" raged in the town. In 1703 
eight men were impressed from the A^illage to man the 
"Flying Horse," of Salem. 

In 1711 it was voted that the inhabitants of Ryall 
side, with some of the neighbors at the Village and also 
at Beverly be allowed to build a meeting house near 
Horse Bridge. (Beverly Second Parish.) The same 
year Be v. Messrs. Green and Prescott of the Yillage 
and Middle Precincts had the privilege of commonage 
granted them. 

The winter of 1717 was remarkable for a dreadful 
snow storm, the particulars of which have been given 
by Cotton Mather as follows : 

''Boston, lOth Bee. 1717. 
"An Horrid" Snow. Sir : — Tho' we gott so far on- 
ward as the beginning of another Winter, yett we have 
not forgott ye last, which at the latter end whereof we 
were entertained <& overwhelmed with a Snow, which 
was attended with some Things, which were uncom- 
mon enough to afford matter for a letter from us. 

On the twentieth of the last February there came on 
a Snow, which being added unto what had covered the 
ground a few days before, made a thicker mantle for our 
Mother than what was usual : And ye storm with it 
was, for the following day^ so violent as to make all com- 
munication between ye Neighbors every where to cease. 
People, for some hours, could not pass from one side of 
a street unto another, & ye poor Women, who happen- 
ed in this critical time to fall into Travail, were putt in- 






m a. 

40 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

to Hardships, which anon produced many odd stories 
for us. But on ye Twenty-fourth day of ye Month, 
comes Pelion upon Ossa : Another Snow came on which 
almost buried ye Memory of ye former, with a Storm 
so famous that Heaven laid an Interdict on ye Religious 
Assemblies throughout ye Country, on this Lord's day, 
ye like whereunto had never been seen before. The 
Indians near an hundred years old, affirm that their 
Fathers never told them of any thing that equalled it. 
Vast numbers of Cattel were destroyed in this Calami- 
ty. Whereof some there were of ye Stranger sort, 
were found standing dead on their legs, as if they had 
been alive many weeks after, when the Snow melted a- 
way. And others had their eyes glazed over with Ice 
at such a rate, that being not far from ye Sea, their 
mistake of their way drowned them there. One gen- 
tleman, on whose farms were now lost above 1100 sheep 
which with other Cattel, were interred (shall I say) or 
Innived, in the Snow, writes me w^ord that there were 
two Sheep very singularly circumstanced. For no less 
than eight and twenty days after the Storm, the Peo- 
ple pulhng out the Ruins of above an 100 sheep out of 
a Snow Bank, which lay 16 foot high, drifted over 
them, there was two found alive, which had been there 
all this time, and kept themselves alive by eating the 
wool of their dead companions. When they were taken 
out they shed their own Fleeces, but soon gott into good 
Case again. Sheep were not ye only creatures that 
lived unaccountably, for whole weeks without their 
usual sustenance, entirely buried in ye Snowdrifts. 
I The Swine had a share with ye Sheep in strange sur- 

m • 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 41 i 

vivals. A man had a couple of young Hoggs, which 
he gave over for dead, But on the twenty-seventh day 
after their Burial, they made their way out of a Snow 
bank, at the bottom of which they had found a little- 
Tansy to feed upon. The Poultry as unaccountably 
survived as these. Hens were found alive after seven 
days ; Turkeys were found alive after five and twenty 
days, buried in ye Snow, and at a distance from ye 
ground, and altogether destitute of any thing to feed 
them. The number of creatures that kept a Rigid 
Fast, shutt up in Snow for diverse weeks together, and 
were found alive after all, have yielded surprizing sto- 
ries unto us. 

The Wild Creatures of ye Woods, in ye outgoings of 
ye Evening, made their Descent as well as they could 
in this time of scarcity for them towards ye Sea-side. 
A vast multitude of Deer, for ye same cause, taking 
ye same course, & ye Deep Snovr Spoiling them of their 
only Defence, which is to run, they became such a 
prey to these Devourers, that it is thought not one in 
twenty escaped. But here again occurred a Curiosity. 
These carniverous Sharpers, k especially the Foxes, 
would make their Nocturnal visits to the Pens, where 
the people had their sheep defended from them. The 
poor Ewes big with young, were so terrified with the 
frequent Approaches of ye Foxes, & the Terror had 
such Impression on them, that most of ye Lambs brought 
forth in the Spring following, were of Monsieur Rein- 
ard's complexion, when ye Dam, were either White or 
Black. It is remarkable that immediately after ye Fall 
of ye Snow an infinite multitude of Sparrows made 



*^42 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 



their Appearance but then, after a short continuance, all 
disappeared. 

It is incredible how much damage is done to ye Or- 
chards, For the Snow freezing to a Crust as high as 
the boughs of ye trees, anon Split ym to pieces. The 
Cattel also, walking on ye crusted Snow a dozen foot 
from ye ground, so fed upon ye Trees as very much to 
damnify them. The Ocean was in a prodigious Fer- 
ment, and after it was over, vast heaps of little shells 
were driven ashore, where they were never seen before. 
Mighty shoals of Porpoises also kept a play-day in the 
disturbed waves of our Harbours. The odd Accidents 
befalling many poor people, whose Cottages were totally 
covered with ye Snow & not ye tops of their chimneys 
to be seen, would afford a Story. But there not being 
any Relation to Philosophy in them, I forbear them. 

And now Satis Terris Nims. And here is enough 
of my Winter Tale. If it serve to no other purpose, 
yett it will give me an opportunity to tell you That nine 
months ago I did a thousand times wish myself with 
you in Gresham College, which is never so horribly 
snow'd upon. But instead of so great a Satisfaction, 
all I can attain to is the pleasure of talking with you in 
this Epistalory way & subscribing myself 
Syr Yours witli affection 

that knows no Winter, 

COTTON MATHER. 

Feb. 13th, 1718 was observed as a fast. Great 
mortaUty had prevailed at the Village which threatened 
at one time to sweep away the entire population. An 
effort was made this year to divide Essex County. 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 43 



Dec. lltb, 1719 was remarkable for a great Aurora 
Borealis which was so brilliant as to fill the country 
with alarm. It ''rustled like a silken banner.'' 

Tea began to be used in 1720. It was customary 
for each lady when she went to visit a friend, to take 
her own tea-cup, saucer and spoon. The cup was a 
few sizes larger than a thimble. The small pox began 
to rage Sept. 21st, 1721. 

In 1723 the tide flowed back into some places several 
miles, forcing the people in some instances to take refuge 
in trees. The year following vegetation suffered so much 
by a drought that it seemed as though a fire had passed 
over it. Oct. 29th 1727 was the occasion of an earth- 
quake which made the "earth to quake with a terrible 
noise and shaking." Severest ever before known in 
N. E. 

Earthquakes occurred in 1728 on the following 
days : Jan. 3d, 28th, 29th., Feb. 21st, 29th., 
March 17th, and 19th. There were several in Nov. 
of the next year, in 17.. there were eleven, and in 
1731 there Avere seven more. 

Caterpillars nearly destroyed the foliage of the for- 
ests in 1735. They were so numerous that carriage 
wheels where dyed green as they crushed them in the 
roads. 

The project which for sixty years had agitated the 
people of the Village and Middle precincts was not aban- 
doned, — and the desire could not be quenched. The de- 
mand for a separation was constantly renewed until the 
year 1732, when the following petition, which may be 
regarded as a curiosity, was offered. 



44 HISTORY OF DAXYERS. 

"To the enhabitance of the town of Salem : whareas 
Thomas jfflint, Samuel nurs and nethanil putnam was cho- 
sen at a legal meeting of Salem village precint, to pre- 
far a petiton to ye town of Salem that they May Be 
set of to Be A Distinct and sepperat town ship without 
here, and with our parte and proportion of the anual 
encome of ye town according to the lines hereafter 
Mencinod. In order to there aphcation to the grate 
and general court for Confarmation thereof : the Bounds 
are as followeth viz : Beginning at Beaverly Line nere 
hors Bridge at Boston Road and said boston Road to be 
ye bounds taking in Mr. porter's neck and Mr. Ende- 
cot's neck to Cow house Rever to high watter mark 
south of ye Brickiles so as to be the line from said his 
watter marke to ye Lane Southerly of Mr. therndick 
proctor's house, and said Lane to be ye Bounds to Bos- 
ton Road and said Boston Road to be ye bounds to Sar 
lem Road that Ledes up by Mr. Danil Marbles to Lynn 
end and said Salem Road to Be ye bounds to Lynn Line, 
and said line to Be ye Bounds to Meddelton Une : and 
Meddelton line to Be ye Bounds to topsfield Hue, and 
topsfield Line to Be ye Bounds to the bound first men- 
teined. 

''We humbly Represent to the town the Cause of our 
Desier of Coming of from ye town is : for ye following 
Reasons : first, to witt inasmuch as a grate number of us 
live five or six miles of from ye town hous and sume of 
us consedrably furthere : we Cante without grate difi- 
culty in Raine wather or Bad wather attend the town 
mettings : where by frequent enconveninces insue to us 
upon it, & second Reason is that we Leaving at the afore 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 45 

said Distance from the school that we have But Lettle 
more Benefite of it then if it -were in an agasent town ; 
for which Reasons : and for what furthere Way be said 
we hope that you will freely seet us of to Be A town- 
ship : And as in Duty Bound we shall ever pray. 

"Salem Vihage March 5th, 1732-3 Thomas fflint 

Natha'll putnam 
Samuel Nurs 

In the Middle Precinct, July, 1740, "It Being put 
to vote Yf hither ye Inhabitants of this parrish will come 
oflf ye town of Salem and Joyn with the Inhabitants of 
Salem Village, Provided that they see cause to take this 
Middle parrish (the whole of it,) as it is now Bounded, 
To Joyn Together both parrishes and make a Township 
of our selve, seperate from ye Town of Salem," — a com- 
mittee was drafted to treat with the Village touching the 
matter. The people of Salem raised a committee to 
confer with "the ffiirmers," and after consultation they 
reported that the Village people might be pacified if the 
town would raise a sufficient amount of money "to main- 
tain two schools within the bridges, and one at the Mid- 
dle Precinct, that should draw their proportion of the 
School money, raise their own committees, and control 
their own affairs." The report was accepted, and the 
town raised X250, province bills. But the farmers 
were not pacified, and the request was renewed constant- 
ly The cause of these difiicuities could not be destroyed. 
The people of the Two Precincts desired to manage 
their own affairs, and time only multiphed their reasons 
and desires for a seperation. 

In 1740 a very fatal throat distemper prevailed. 



46 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 

The winter was remarkably tedious. The rivers were 
frozen in October, and on April 4th, the snow was so 
deep, that sleighs passed over the fences. March 9th. 
1745 there was a beautiful lunar rainbow. Frost cut 
down the corn August 18th. 1746. 

It is a matter of interest that in the year 1738, two 
families named Putnam, and one named Dale migrated 
from Dan vers, and were the first settlers of Wilton, 
New Hampshire. 

Thus ,the principal events affecting that portion of 
Old Salem subsequently known as Danvers, previous 
to its incorporation have been culled as far as is possi- 
ble from the Records of Salem. Additional facts may 
be found under the head of Ecclesiastical. Their in- 
completeness may be explained by the fact, that the 
Village and Middle Precinct's events are so blended 
with those of Salem proper, that they cannot be distin- 
guished. 

NOTES TO CHAPTER II. 

(a.) "About the year 1628: when those few yt came over with 
Collonel Indecot and begun to setle at Nahuinkeeck, now called Sa- 
lem, and in a manner all so sjck of theyr journey, that though they 
had both small and great guns, and powder and bullets for ym, yet 
had not strength to manage ym, if suddenly put upon it; and tidings 
being certainly brought ym on a lord's day morning yt a thousand In- 
dians from Saugust, now called Lyn, were coming against ym to cut 
ym off they had much adoe Amongst ym all to charge 2 or three of 
theyre great guns andtraile ym to a place of advantage, where the In- 
dians must pass toym and there to shoot ym off; when they heard by 
theyre noise which they made in the woods, yt the Indians drew 
neare, ye noise of which great Artillery, to which the Indians were 
never wonted before, did occasionally (by the good hand of God,) 
strike such dread into ym, yt by somo lads, who lay at scouts in the 



HISTORY OF DANYERS. 47 

woods, they were heard to reiterate that confused outcrie, (O Hobba- 
mock;) and yn fled confusedly back with all speed, when none 
pursued ym." 

Letter from Cobbtt to Increase Mather. 

(b) "1632. July 3. There is a necke of land lyeing aboute 3 
myles from Salem cont. about 300 acres of land graunted toCapt. 
Jo. Endicott to enjoy to him and bis heires foreuer, called in the Indean 
tonge Wahquamesehcok, in English Birchwood, bounded on ihe South 
side with a ryvere called in the Indean tonge Soewampenessett, com- 
monly called the Cowe house ryver bounded on the North side with a 
ryver called in the Indean tonge Conamabsqnooncant, commonly called 
the Ducke ryver, bounded on the east by a ryver leading vpp to the 
2 fc-rmer ryver s, which is called in the Indean tonge Orkhnssunt, oth- 
erwise knowen by the name of Wooleston ryver bounded on the West 
with the maine land." 

"The spot then was the best he could have chosen . On a com 
manding eminence, which overlooked the country for some distance 
around, and about one-eighih of a mile from one of the inlets, he built 
his house, and commenced in earnest the cultivation of his farm. Al- 
though the ploughshare has frequently passed over it, yet part of the 
cellar of this house is plainly discernible at the present day. On this 
ffirm he lived in sort of feudal style, surrounded by his servants and 
retainers ; the names of some of whom have been handed dowyi to us, 
these were John Putnam, Benj. Scarlett, Edw. Grover and Wm. Poole. 
From the testimony of Edward Grover we learn, that in 1633 "he did 
helpe to cut and cleaue about seven thousand pallisadoes, and was the 
first that made improvements thereof by breaking up of ground and 
plantinge of Indian corne*" Here if tradition be correct, he introduc- 
ed for medicinal purposes, as well as by way of ornament !o his gard- 
en, the "white weed," or chrysanthemum leucanthemum of the bot- 
anist, which has since become so detrimental to the hay-fields of our 
farmers in some parts of the State. 

"The inlet before the Mansion House had nothing to interrupt it ; 
the passage was open to the bay, and at that early period must have 
been delightfully romantic. The shores on either side thickly clothed 
with woods, whose dark images were reflected in the still waters bo 
neath them, were picturesque in the extreme. The bold jutting head- 
lands, on some parts of the passage, lent a sublimity to the prospect, 



48 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

which was continually varying by the winding and circuitous course 
of the stream. The smoke from the humble and solitary wigwam of 
the Indians, thinly scattered along the margm of the waters, with an 
occasional glimps at their tawny inhabitants, as they stealthily watched 
the passing boat from their leafy hiding places, or listlessly reclined 
under the shadow of some wide-spreading oak, heightened the effect 
and diversified the scene." Extracts from a highly interesting and 
valuable Biography of Gov. Endicoit, written by Chas. M. Endicott 
a descendant, and just published, entirely for private circulation. The 
Memorist adds, that he visited some remains of aboriginril wigwams 
when a boy, in the vicinity of the Endecoti Burial Ground. Traces of 
the transitory abiding places of the departed Red Men are yet visible 
ton the shores of Porter's River. 

"There is another necke of landlyeing aboute 3 myles from Salem 
cont. aboute 200 acreq graunted toMr. Sam'l Skelton to enioy to 
him and his heires for euer, called by the Indians Wahquack, bounded 
on the South vpon a little ryver, called by Indians Conamabsqnoon- 
cant, vpon the North abutting on another ryver called by the Indeans 
Ponomenneuhcant, and on the east on the same ryver." — Felt. 

(c) As the island in Huniphey's pond possessed such natural advan- 
tages as a place of security in case of engagement with the savages, 
there is annexed as a condition of its surrender, that the inhabitants of 
Salem and Saugus should have a right to build storehouses thereon "for 
their vse in tyme of neede." Blockhouses were erected there inl6- 
76, and also on "Watch-house hill" where the 1st Cong. Church 
stands, and perhaps elsewhere. The attacks of King Philip were 
much feared, though our ancestors seem to have been preserved from 
the lightnings of his rage, which withered whatsoever they fell upon. 

(d) Since writing the foregoing, I have conversed with those who 
remember when the Neck was a famous place for duck shooting. 

(e) The grants were not all settled on. Some were soon sold and 
some occupied. "Uncertain" signifies that it is unknown whether the 
individual settled, 1. g. land granted, d. died. There are so many 
opportunities for mistake in the particulars relating to grantees, &c., 
that the Compiler does not flatter himself that he has improved some 
of them. 

(f) Emanuel Downing owned the Proctor estate, and the Plains. 
His son Charles sold the first to John Proctor who was executed for 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 



49 1 



witchcraft, and the Plains to George Porter. Sir George Down- 
ing, for whom Downing Street, London, was named, was an ancestor. 

(g ) The following list of the first payers of rates in the Village 
Parish for the year 1682, may shed some light on the settlement of 
the Town. 



Lieut. T. Putnam, 


il8 s6d3 


Th6mas Preston, 


;eisl0d0 


Richard Hutchinson, 


2 9 


6 


Wm. Buckley, 


1 4 




Nath'l Putnam, 


9 10 




Benj. Holten, 


1 1 




Lieut, John Putnam, 


8 




Joseph Woodrow, 


15 




Joseph Porter 


6 3 




Thomas Clark, 


18 




Henry Kenny^ 


2 5 




John Nickols, 


10 




Jonathan VValcott, 


3 6 




John Darling, 


10 




Israel Porter, 


1 10 




Joseph Holten, jr. 


1 12 




John Buxton^ 


3 15 




Edward Putnam, 


1 17 




Lott Kellum, 


1 4 




Jonathan Putnam, 


1 16 




Joseph Holten, Sen., 


3 6 




Thotna? Haile, 


7 


6 


Isaac Goodell's widow, 


10 




Daniel Andrew, 


5 19 


3 


Thomas Flint, 


6 2 




Samuel Bra brook. 


16 




Giles Cory, 


4 




Zaccar Herrick, 


12 




Joseph Pope, 


3 




Nath'l Felton, jr. 


5 




Elisha Cuby, 


3 


3 


Thos. ffuller, sen. 


8 6 




William Nickels, 


10 




Henry Renols, 


2 


3 


Isaac Cook, 


4 


3 


Jeremy Watts, 


1 5 




William Sibley, 


4 16 




Joseph Hutchinson, 


6 12 


3 


Joseph Root, 


4 


9 


Nath'l Ingersoll, 


3 12 




John Giles, 


6 


3 


Joshua Rea, 


7 7 




Andrew Eliot, 


5 




John Brown, 


3 1 


6 


William Dodge, 


6 


6 


James Hadlock, sen. 


1 9 


3 


Joseph Boys, 


3 


3 


James Hadlock, jr. 


1 4 




Samuel Sibly, 


i 18 




Thomas Jeford's farm 


, 1 7 


6 


Job Swinnerton, 


3 




Thomas Haines^ 


2 2 


6 


Job Swinnerton, jr. 


4 10 




Jona. Knight, 


1 10 




Peter Prescott, 


1 4 


6 


John Kenny, 


1 10 




James Smith, 


1 4 


6 


Aron Way, 


1 19 




John Burroughs, 


i 5 


6 


William Jerland, 


2 5 




Thomas Keny, 


i 10 




Thomas ffuller, jr. 


2 8 




William Way, 


1 10 




John Sheperd, 


1 10 




Thomas Putnam, jr. 


2 14 




Zaccary Goodell, 


2 14 




John Putnam, jr. 


2 14 




John Gingill, 


3 10 


6 


Geo. Flintj 


1 7 




B. Wilkens, (Wiiknes 


,) 2 12 


6 


John Flint, 


1 7 




Samuel Wilkins, 


1 16 




Wm. Osborn, 


3 




Thomas Wilkinsi 


2 16 


9 


Nath'l Aires, 


1 4 




Henry Wilkins, 


1 10 




Thomas Bailey, 


18 




Benj. Wilkins, 


1 16 




Daniel Rea, 


3 




Edward Bishop, 


2 8 




Thomas Cave, 


3 




Joseph Herrick, 


3 




Peter Cloys, 


1 8 


6 
5 


Thos. Ramentj 


2 14 





60 



niSTOKY OF DAN VERS. 



Abraham Walcott, 
Peter Woodbury, 
Francis Nurse, 
Samuel Nurse, 
John Tarball, 



£1 



s9 d 
2 6 
18 

1 4 

1 4 



Ezekill Cheever, 
Joseph Wazary, 
Alexander Osborn, 
John Adams, 
William Rament, 



£ Bl3d 
2 

2 2 
12 6 
9 9 



Signed Daniel Ray, A. D, 1682. 



(h) "Eum BridgeV crossed Waters River at the head of tide 
water, on the old Ipswich road. The boundary here referred to, is 
the Waters River. 

Errata. Page 27th, line seventh from top, for south read north. 
Page 31st, line fourth from top for ?rcfs, read comprised. Page 48th 
line fourth from bottom, insert not between has and improved. 



CHAPTER III. 

In the year IT 51 a Committee was raised to examine 
and report whetlier the people of the Village and Mid- 
dle Precincts should take advantage of a feeling under- 
stood to exist in Salem, favorable to their Incorporation 
as a town. After considering the matter, the Commit- 
tee reported as follows : 

"Whereas, ye Village parish and je Middle parish in 
Salem have agreed to come of from ye town as a seper- 
ate Town by themselves, as appears by ye votes of 
their respective Meetings, and whereas, we ye subscri- 
bers being appointed and Impowered for and in behalf 
of Each parish to Confere together, and make Report 
att ye meeting of sd parishes Respectively, relating to 
said Affair, have meet together and after due Consid- 
eration make Report as follows : (viz.) That ye Town 
meetings shall be one year in one parish, and ye next 
year in ye other parish successively. That ye major 
part of ye selectmen and assessors shall be Chosen one 
year in one parish, and ye next year in ye other par- 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 51 



ish successively. That each parish shall share Equally 
in all profits and Benefits that shall happen or acrue. 

July ye 2d, 1751. 
DANIEL EPES Jr. ) for the SAMUEL FLINT } . .. 

MALICHI FELTON } Middle CORNELIUS TARBALL > '?!"„ ^""^ 
JOHN PROCTOR S Parish. JAMES PRINCE S ^ "^'^Se- 



This Report was accepted, and the Authors were fur- 
ther instructed to "labour" with the people of Salem, 
a large number of whom Were opposed to the secession, 
and, with the General Court, to eifect the wishes of the 
people of the Village and Middle Precincts. They were 
at last successful and in the following year an act was 
passed, incorporating the District o^ Daxvers. 

Although thus much was gained, yet the prayer of 
the petitioners was not fully met. The two parishes 
were not erected into a town, but only into a District. 
It may be unnecessary to inform the reader that a Dis- 
trict had not the privilege of sending representatives, 
while towns could do so. The King had expressly 
charged the Governor to consent to the making of no 
new towns, unless the right to send representatives 
should be reserved. In other words no more towns 
should be made, but whenever a portion of a large town 
wished to be severed, it could be made into a district, 
and thus have all the powers and privileges of a town, 
with the single exception of the right to send represen- 
tatives. 

The Act of Incorporation for Danvers District is 
here subjoined : 

''Anno Begni Regis G-eorgii Secundi ^c, Vices- 
simo Quinto. 

"An act for erecting the Village parish and middle 



52 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

Parish so called, in the Town of Salem into a Distinct 
and seperate District by the Name of Danvers. 

"Whereas, the Town of Salem is Very Large and 
the Inhabitants of the Village and Middle parishes so 
called within ye same (many of them at Least,) live att 
a great Distance from that part of Salem where the 
Publick affairs of the Town are Transacted and also 
from the Grammer School which is kept in ye sd fii^st 
Parish. 

"And WHEREAS, most of the Lihabitants of the sd 
first Parish are Either Merchants, Tradei'^ or Mechan- 
icks & those of ye sd Village and Middle parishes are 
cliiefly Husbandmen, by means whereof many Disputes 
& Difficultys have Arrissen and May hereafter arise in 
the manageing their pubhc Affairs Together, &, Es- 
peacially touching ye Apportioning the Publick Taxes, 
For preventing of which Inconveniences for the future. 

"Be it Enacted by the Lieut. Governour, Council, 
and House of Representatives, That that part of ye 
s'd Town of Salem which now constitutes the 
village and middle parishes in sd Town according to 
their boundaries and the Inhabitants therein, be Erected 
into a seperate and Distinct District by the Name of 
Danvers, and that said Inhabitants shall do the dutys 
that are Required and Enjoyed on other Towns, and 
Enjoy all the Powers, Privileges & Immunities that 
Towns in this province by Law Enjoy, except that of 
seperately chuseing and sending one or more Repre- 
sentatives to Represent them att ye Genii Assembly, 
&c." 

Jany ye 25, 1752." 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. Oo 

On the twenty-ninth instant, an order was issued, 
calling the first meeting of the District on the fourth of 
the following March, at the meeting house in the North 
Parish. It commenced thus : " These may notify the 
inhabitants of Salem ahous Danvers, &c." The order 
for the meeting was signed by Jonathan Kettel, Jasper 
Needham, David Putnam, Joseph Osborne, Jonathan 
Buxton, Malichi Felton, Samuel King, Nathan Proc- 
tor, David Gardner, John Proctor, Thomas Flint, Cor- 
nelius Tarball, James Putnam, Samuel Flint, and 
James Prince, and was addressed to Daniel Epes, Jus- 
tice of the Peace. The meeting Avas held agreeable to 
the call, and the following gentlemen served as the first 
officers of Danvers : Daniel Epes, Esq., Moderator ; 
Daniel Epes, Jr., Esq., Clerk; James Prince, Treasu- 
rer ; Daniel Epes, Jr., Capt. Samuel Flint, Deacon 
Cornelius Tarball, Selectmen ; Stephen Putnam, Sam- 
uel King, Daniel Gardner, Assessors and Overseers of 
the Poor ; Constables, David Goodale and Samuel 
White, First Parish ; Roger Derby and Jonathan 
Twiss, Second Parish ; Tythingmen, Samuel Putnam 
and Archelaus Putnam, First Parish ; Samuel Osboi^ne, 
James Upton and Timothy Upton, Second Parish ; 
Highway Surveyors, John Andrews, John Preston, 
Francis Nurse, Lieut. David Putnam, Jacob Goodale, 
George Gould, First Parish; Ensign John Proctor, 
Andrew Mansfield, Jasper Needham, Jonathan Russell, 
James Gould, James Buxton, John Southwick, Second 
Parish ; Haywards, Jonathan Putnam, John Osborne ; 
Leather Sealers, Israel Cheever, James Upton ; Fence 
Viewers, Samuel Holten, Benjamin Putnam, John Os- 



64 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

borne, Ebenezer Marsh ; Clerks of the Market, Jona- 
than Putnam, David Goldthwaite. Daniel Rea was 
chosen to take care that ye Lawes Relateing to ye pres- 
ervation of Deer be observed. Surveyors of Lumber, 
Henry Putnam, David Goldthwaite ; to preserve Ale- 
wives, James Chapman, Ebenezer King, John Brown, 
Gideon Foster ; Hog Reaves, Walter Smith, John 
Vinne, George Wait, Jr., Israel Hutchinson, John 
Oakes, Ebenezer Goldthwayte, Daniel Marble, Jr., 
Jonathan Osborne, Jonathan Trask ; Pound Keepers, 
Hugh Kelly, David Foster, Ebenezer Boyce. It was 
agreed, that all who chose might work out their taxes 
on the roads, and those who did not so choose, were to 
pay them in money. The number of houses at the time 
was 140, and the population about 500, 

One year after the erection of the District of Dan- 
vers, the bounds between it and Salem were run as fol- 
lows: 

"from ye great cove (so called) in the Northfields, 
to Trask's plain (so called,) viz — Beginning att a stake 
standing in the Lower part of the Thatch bank att ye 
Northerly part or point of Peter's Neck (so called) 
owned or claimed by Joshua Orne Esq. of Marblehead 
and by the cove afforesd and from thence Running South 
a Little Westerly, Eighteen poles to a stake and stones 
which stake is about five feet west of a Red oak Tree 
on sd Orn's Land, Thence on the same course Fourty 
two Rods to an other stake and stones, thence fourty 
Rods to a small Gray oak Tree on ye North east side of 
a Hill in Anna Foster's Land, Thence fourty poles to a 
stake and stones in her land, thence fourty poles to a 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 55 

small Black oak Tree on a Hill in Samuel Symond's 
land, thence fourty rods to a stake and stones in Thomas 
Symond's land, thence thirty poles to a small Walnut 
Tree in ye sd Thomas Symond's pasture. Thence fifty 
poles to a small red oak Tree in Robert Buffum's land, 
& near ye stone wall by the Road, Thence fourty poles 
to a stake & stones in Jonathan Buffum's Pasture, 
Thence fourty poles to a stake & stones on Jonathan 
Buffum's Hill, The course from ye first to ye last men- 
tioned bound, being south. Little Westerly, and from 
the stake Last mentioned in the same course fifty two 
poles ending a Little to the Eastward of Trask's Grist 
mills (so called) and from the end of that Line Running 
West Southerly to the Eastermost Elm Tree on sd plain 
and by the Northerly side of the highway there called 
Boston Road, Leaving ye sd Grist Mills within ye sd 
District. The severall Bound Trees and stakes affore- 
sd being marked with a marking Iron with the Letter 
S. on the East side, and the Letter D. on the west side. 

May 7—1753—" 

In the year following, when the Colonies proposed a 
plan of union for mutual safety and protection, the Dis- 
trict voted against it through its delegate, Daniel Epes. 
The same year the bounds were run between Wenham, 
Beverly, Topsfield, Middleton, Lynn and Danvers. 
February 3d, 1755 — it was voted, that Daniel Epes Jr. 
should carry the renewed request of the district to be- 
come a town before the General Court. Already the 
Colonies had begun to be jealous of the encroachments 
of the Crown of England, and they wished to be as far 
represented and as fully as possible. Eor this reason, 



5Q HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

it was an important object to have many towns, and the 
District, although it seems to have sent a delegate on 
several occasions, could not send a properly qualified 
representative, so long as it remained a District. To 
obtain this privilege, it persisted in its demands, and the 
last request was tendered the General Court by Dan- 
iel Epes, June 8th, 1757. It was granted the next 
day, so that the existence of the Town of Danvers dates 
from June 9th, 1757. Gov. Hutchinson then of the 
Council, entered a formal protest against the vote, as 
follows ; 

"I protest for the following reasons: First, Because 
it is the professed design of the Bill to give the inhabi- 
tants who now join with the town of Salem the choice 
of representatives a power of choosing by themselves ; 
and the number of which the house of representatives 
may at present consist being full large, the increase 
must have a tendency to i-etard the proceedings of the 
general court, and to increase the burden which by their 
long session every year, lies upon the people, and must 
likewise give the house an undue proportion to the board 
of the legislature, where many affairs are determined by 
a joint ballot of the two houses. 

''Second. Because there being no governor or lieut- 
enant governor in the province, it is most agreeable to 
His Majesty's commission to the late governor to the 
message of this board to the house, at opening the ses- 
sion, and, in itself is most reasonable, that all matters of 
importance should be deferred until there be a governor 
or lieutenant governor in the chair. 

"Third. Because the Board, by passing this bill as 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 57 



the second branch of the legislature necessarily bring it 
before themselves as the first branch for assent or refu- 
sal ; and such members as* vote for the bill in one ca- 
pacity must give their assent to it in the other, directly 
against the royal instruction to the governor, when the 
case is no degree necessary to the public interest ; other- 
wise their doings will be inconsistent and absurd. 

"THOMAS HUTCHINSON." 

•'Council Chamber, June 9, 1757." 

The tract of Country now included in our goodly 
town, was known by the name of Danvers several years 
before it was incorporated as a District, even as early as 
the year 1745. The origin of the name can only be con- 
jectured. As there was formerly a noble family in En- 
gland, bearing the name of Danvers, it is presumed that 
some of the early (a.) inhabitants of this town came from 
the vicinity of their possessions, and baptized the town of 
their adoption with a name which should recall the scenes 
of Fatherland. It may be interesting to the reader to 
know something of this family, from which we have de- 
rived the name of our town. The following account 
taken from the "Danvers AYhig," is substantially from 
Burke's Extinct Peeraiire of Endand. 

o o 

"The family came originally from Anvers, or Ant- 
werp in France. Although formerly possessed by 
France, it now belongs to Belgium. 

"The first person that we learn of, as bearing the 
name, is Roland D'Anvers, (b.) companion in arms of 
William the Conqueror. 

"In the sixteenth century, we hear of Sir John Dan- 
vers. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Nevil, 



58 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

Lord Latimer, and died, leaving three sons and one 
dau2;hter, of whom we have information. 

''Charles Danvers, the eldest son, joined the Earl 
of Essex in his disloyal attempt against Queen Elizabeth 
and the Court. Upon its failure, Sir Charles, (with 
Essex and others,) was taken and tried for high trea- 
son. They were convicted, and beheaded in the tower, 
in the year 1601. Sir Charles left one daughter, Elea- 
nor Danvers, who married Sir Peter Osborne, Knight, 
afterwards created Baronet. Their grand-son bore the 
name of Danvers Osborn, aad was born in 1715. He 
married in 1740, Lady ]\Iary Montagu, daughter of the 
Earl of Halifax, and in 1753, he was appointed Gover- 
nor of New York, to succeed Clinton. He came to this 
country, but died a few days after his arrival. He left 
two sons, and among their descendants now living, are 
Charles Danvers Osborne, and Danvers Henry Osborne. 
So it seems that the name at least, of Danvers is yet 
extant in old England. 

"Henry Danvers, the second son of Sir John, was 
born in Dantsey, AViltshire, in 1573. He served inthe 
Low-country wars, under Maurice, Count of Nassau, 
afterwads Prince of Orange, and in France, under 
King Henry IV., by whom he was knighted. He ac- 
companied the Earl of Essex to Ireland, where he was 
Lieut. Gen. of Horse, and Sergeant Major of the whole 
army. In 1603 he was created by James L, Peer of 
the Realm, with the title of Baron of Dantsey, In 
1626 he was made by Charles L, Earl of Danby, and 
also member of the Privy Council, and Knight of the 
Garter. 






HISTORY OF DANVEES. 59 

"Sir Henry made a valuable donation of a piece of 
land to the University of Oxford, for a botanic garden. 
He also well furnished it with plants, and enclosed it 
with a splendid stone wall, which alone, is said to have 
cost the noble benefactor nearly five thousand pounds. 
An Alms-house, and a Free school, were founded by 
him, in Malmesbury. 

"The latter part of his life Lord Danvers spent in re- 
tirement, at Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, where he died 
in lG-13. He was buried in the Chancel of the parish 
church of Dantsey, his native village, under a noble 
monument of white marble. Upon it are inscribed an 
excellent epitaph, and the following lines by that good 
man and quaint poet, George Herbert, who was a 
neighbor of Lord Danvers. 

LAUS DEO. 

^* Sacred mable, safely keep 

His dust, who under thee must sleep, 

Until the years again restore 

Their dead, and time shall be no more. 

Meane while, if he (which all things wears) 

Does ruin thee, or if thy tears 

Are shed for him : dissolve thy frame, 
Thou art requited : for his fame, 
His vertue, and his worth shall be 
Another monument to thee. 

"Lord Danvers never married, and therefore the Ba- 
rony of Dantsey, and the Earldom of Danby, became 
extinct at his Death. 



60 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 




ARMS OP THE DANVERS FAMILY. (c) 

"Gules, a chevron between three mullets of six points, 
or. 

"John Danyers was the youngest son of the three, 
and heir to Sir Henry. He was one of the gentlemen 
of the Privy Chamber of Charles I., and one of those 
who signed the warrant for his execution. He died be- 
fore before the Restoration. 

"Elizabeth Dan vers, supposedto be the only daugh- 
ter of Sir John, married Thomas Walmsey, Esq., of 
Stockeld. They left an only daughter, Anne, who 
married Sir Edward Osborne j Baronet. Their only 
son and heir, Sir Thomas Osborne, was raised to the 
Peerage, as Viscount Latimer, Earl of Danby, Mar- 
quess of Carmarthen, and Duke of Leeds. The title 
has passed to his lineal descendant, Francis Godolphin 
Osborne, or Francis Godolphin D'Arcy, as it is some- 
times written, the present Duke of Leeds." (d) 

Li the year 1754, Archelaus Putnam, then living 
somewhere in the neighborhood of the Collins House, 
went down through the woods to the place now called 
New Mills, and seeing a fine opportunity there to 



m. 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 61 

establish tide mills, he moved a small building) which he 
occupied as a cooper's shop) to the bank of Crane riv- 
er, and floated it down to the desired spot. He then 
moved it to the site he intended to occupy, near the 
store of Messrs, Warren, where he made an addition to 
it, and thus dwelt in the first and only house standing in 
New Mills, (e.) 

The next year his brother John (f.) moved down, 
and they built a grist mill, which they partially owned. 
This year, Archelaus Putnam had a daughter, who was 
the first white child born in Dan vers New Mills. She 
died Nov. 19, 1847, aged 93 years. 

A private highway, leading from the Plains across 
Crane and Waters rivers, at each of which places was 
a ferry, was laid out in the year 1756. This was con- 
tinued for a time, and in 1760 a highway was laid out 
by the town, and a bridge built by subscription, at an 
expense of X285, 4s, 8d. The bridge w^as carried 
away by a high tide in 1770. The present bridge was 
built in the following year, and was passable June 25, 
1771. The town refused to pay for this bridge, and 
the surveyors sued, and recovered judgement. 

The New Mills road caused a great deal of dissen- 
sion in the town. The same year that it was laid out, 
it was voted: "that Capt. Thomas Flint, Deacon Cor- 
nelius Tarball and Joseph Putnam be a committee to 
Petition ye Court of Generall Sessions of ye Peace that 
ye way Lately laid out. Beginning at the Country Road 
by Cornt. John Porter's and leading to ye New Mills, 
be discontinued, and another laid out in ye room of it, 

in a more Convenient Place &c." 
> 6 



^^z 

62 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 



It seems that this effort succeeded, for we find that 
the people of New Mills petitioned the next year for a 
highway of their own. However, on April 14, 1760, 
a committee was raised to effect a private way, consist- 
ing of the following persons : Samuel Clarke, Benjamin 
Sawyer, Israel Hutchinson, Benj. Porter, Jeremiah 
Page, Nath'l Brown. The selectmen granted the road, 
and described its bounds as follows : "Beginning at the 
said Capt. Samuel Endecott's land at the East end of 
the. New Mill Privelege in Danvers afforesd on the 
northern side of sd Bridge and extending from thence 
East 11 Degrees south six poles and twenty links — and 
from thence South Thirty six Degrees East fourteen 
Poles, and from thence South forty two degrees thirty 
nine mins. &c." This was protested against as fol- 
lows : "Voted : That the Town by Petition will make 
apply cation to ye Great and Genrll Court at their next 
session for obtaining any Proper relief or redress of ye 
Injuries done & Designed to be Done to ye town of Dan- 
vers by certain Proprietors as they call themselves and 
some others their abettors in their Late procureing the 
selectmen of ye Town of Danvers or ye major Part of 
them to lay out a private Proprietors way as they now 
call it through Capt Samuel Endecott's land to Water's 
river in Danvers aforsd and by ye sd Proprietors so 
called and others Bulding a Bridge over that river to 
come at another way on the Southerly side of said river 
which ye same proprietors Pretend they have Lately 
Purchased upon certain Conditions of John Waters and 
Ebenr Jacobs Whereas they Imagine they can call them- 
selves Proprietors and Deceitfully hereafter cause the 



HISTORY OF DAXYERS. 63 

Town to be subject to the maintainance of Both Parts 
of ye sd way and also of the Bridge aforsd which is 
now a Building all being within ye Bounds of ye sd 
Town." 

A few months after, this vote was reconsidered by 
the town, but the people of the New Mills were unsat- 
isfied. The question was agitated constantly, and mean- 
while, the road was used. Col. Hutchinson says in his 
private papers: "They were continually harrassing us 
with petitions to the Court of Sessions and the General 
Court to have the way discontinued. After they found 
they could not get it discontinued, they proposed to 
make a toll bridge ; we found that would not by any 
ways do, as those people who had assisted us in repair- 
ing the way, and building the bridges, would be great 
sufferers and it would promote travelling that way, which 
was what the leaders, who were sellers of rum, tobacco, 
&c. wished to prevent. 

"We then applied to the North Parish to be annexed 
to them if they were willing to take us, with all ways and 
bridges, but they would not let us go. 

"AVe then, after contending in the law more than sev- 
en long years, and although we had gained our cause in 
every case, being almost ruined, were under the neces- 
sity of proposing to the General Court that we -would 
take all the ways and bridges on ourselves." ' 

This request was granted, and a Highway District 
was incorporated as follows : 
^^Anno Megni Regis Greorgii Tertii Duodecimo, 1772. 

An Act for the subjecting the Inhabitants of a Part 
of the Town of Danvers, called the Neck of Land here 



64 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

after described, to the Charge of maintaining and sup- 
porting certain Bridges and Highways. 
. "Whereas unhappy Divisions and Controversies have 
arisen in the Town of Danvers, in the County of Essex, 
relative to their Highways and Bridges ; and the Inhab- 
itants of that Part of the said Town which is a Neck of 
Land, making the Northerly or Northeasterly Corner or 
Skirt of the South Parish in said Town, have come to a 
final and amicable Compromise and Settlement of such 
Divisions and Controversies with their Brethren of the 
other residing Part of said Town touching said High- 
ways and Bridges, for the Ratification of which, and 
making the same Compromise and Settlement valid 
and binding in Law they have mutually expressed their 
Desire, now for the closing and putting an End to all 
such Divisions and Controversies for the future, and in 
order to accomplish the good Purposes of Union and 
Harmony in said Town : 

"Be it enacted by the Governor, Council, and House 
of Representatives, That the Neck of Land, as hereaf- 
ter bounded and limited, being the Northerly or North- 
easterly Corner or Skirt of the South Parish in Dan- 
vers, in the County of Essex, and the Inhabitants there- 
of, be, and the same Neck of Land and Inhabitants 
are, and forever hereafter shall be subject to and charg- 
ed with with the Maintainance, Support and keeping in 
Repair of the Bridge built over Waters's River (so 
called) in said Danvers, and also of the Highway laid 
out by the Selectmen of said Danvers, and confirmed 
by the Court of General Sessions of the Peace within 
and for said County from Porter's Corner (there so cal- 

^ * , , = i 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 65 

led) to the Easterly End of said Waters's Bridge, for 
the more convenient passing of the Inhabitants of said 
Neck of Land to and from the place of public Worship 
in the South Parish aforesaid, and other useful Purpos- 
es ; and also of all and any other Highways and Bridges 
that shall at any Time ever hereafter, at the special In- 
stance and Request of the Inhabitants of said Neck of 
Land or by the Court of General Sessions of the Peace 
within and for said County, be opened and laid out, or 
erected and built any w4iere within the Boundaries and 
Limits of said Neck of Land, containing by Estimation 
three Hundred Acres, bounded as follows, viz. Begin- 
ning at the Bridge by John Verry's in Danvers, com- 
monly called Crane-Biver Bridge, thence running down 
the Channel till it comes to Lieut. Thomas Stevens's 
Land, about thirty Poles above the Mill-Dam by a cove 
in the Mill-Pond, thence running on a strait Line as said 
Stevens's Fence now stands till it strikes Waters's Riv- 
er, near the Bridge, upon the West Side, and across 
said Waters's River to high Water Mark, thence down 
said Waters's River to Frost Fish Brook River (so call- 
ed) at low Water Mark, thence up the Channel of said 
River to the Bridge, called Frost Fish Brook Bridge on 
Ipswich Road, thence on the Eastern Side of said Road 
to Crane River Bridge above mentioned." 

Full power to transact all business relating to their 
affairs was given them. 

More wheat mills were built in 1764, and a new saw- 
mill in 1768. The original owners were Archelaus Put- 
nam, John Buxton, Sam. Clark, John Pickman and Is- 
rael Hutchinson, jr. About the year 1798, the Salem 



Q6 HISTORY OP DAN VERS. 

Iron Company commenced their works. Other mills of 
different kinds and different branches of business have 
flourished until the present time, — for particulars of 
■which, see "Statistics." 

This District was preserved until the year 1841, pay- 
ing and supporting its own roads, and entirely indepen- 
dent of the town. The district paid from 1809—1838, 
$1883,99, more than it would have done, if it had been 
on the same footing with the rest of the town. 

The Essex Bridge built in 1788, was violently opposed 
by the friends of the New Mills Road, as it was supposed 
that travel would thus be diverted from the Neck, — and 
because of the obstacles it presented to the Danvers 
shipping, the proprietors of the bridge were compelled to 
pay to Danvers £10 annually for fifty years, as a com- 
pensation. April 1st, 1799, the town voted that this 
sum should be given to the Highway District. Liberty 
Bridge was built over Frostfish river in 1788, to draw 
travel to this quarter from Beverly, as a matter of pub- 
lic advantage, (g.) a new bridge was built in 1792. 

Perhaps it is impossible for us to conjecture the ap- 
pearance and condition of the town at the time of its 
incorporation. Although it had been settled over a 
century, yet many of the roads were mere paths through 
the woods and pastures, with the original obstructions of 
rock, grass and stump remaining in all their glory. But 
the desire of town excellence soon began a reform, and 
accordingly a surveyor was directed "to Destroy and 
Extirpate all such Barberry Bushesses as are in ye high- 
ways & also to cut and clear ye limbs of appletrees, oak 
trees, or other trees that hang over ye highways." (h.) 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 67 

Nov. 18th, 1755, the day when Lisbon was destroyed, 
a violent earthquake shook New England. Glass was 
broken, chimneys destroyed, and great consternation 
created. 

There was no rain from June to Sept. 2 2d, in the 
year 1762. The wells were nearly all drained^ and 
vegetation seemed to be scorched, — every where burnt 
as if with fire. Such is a brief sketch of our town be- 
fore the Revolutionary Period Perhaps some interest- 
ing matters may have been overlooked ; but in general 
terms it may be said, the "Annals of Salem," previous 
to this date, comprise the History of Danvers. 

NOTES TO CHAPTER III. 

(A.) Among the original Settlers of Danvers the Osborne family 
was conspicuous as it has been in the subsequent annals of the town. 
This, coupled with the fact recorded above, that the Osborne and 
Danvers family had intermarried, seems to account for our name. 
Doubtless the Osbornes suggested the name out of love for their cous- 
ins across the seas. Felt, however, in his Annals, declares that Lieut 
Gov. Phipps suggested the name through gratitude to one of his 
patrons. 

(b.) Roland D'Anvers, or Roland of Antwerp, a name given 
Roland as a brave soldier, to distinguish him from othsr Rolands who 
were with William in his bloody wars. The wealth and honor he 
acquired seems to have been the seed, out of which grew the nobil- 
ity of his successors. He was probably knighted by King Wil- 
liam. 

(c.) These simple bearings would make an appropriate seal for 
onr town. The Editor of the Courier has suggested a better. It 
should represent in the background "one Simon a tanner by the sea 
side," drawing hides from the water, denoting the antiquity of our 
staple business. In another part a currier's splitting machine, a bunch 
of onions, a shoe-last, and a bark-mill,— the whole surmounted by an 



68 HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 



earthen milk-pan. In the foreground is seen a locomotive and full 
train of cars, bearing 

**A banner with this strange device : 
Excelsior !" 

(d.) Danvers has never in fact, received a name. Although in- 
corporated as the District of Danvers, yet in the Act of Incor- 
poration, It is known as the "Town of ." 

(e.) Those who behold the industry and business life of to-day, 
will find it difficult to realize that in the year 1754, the wife of Ar- 
chelaus Putnam, in attempting to pass to the mill from her house at 
the place before mentioned, became lost in the dense thicket, and 
was only able to find her way by following the sound of her hus- 
band's voice. At that time it was no uncommon thing for the farmer 
to see a wild fox cross his path as he went to and from his labors 
Fox Hill received its significant name because of the large number of 
foxes which haunted its neighborhood. Mrs. Fowler, remembered dis- 
nctly, that in 1760 her father returned from his mill 'one day, and 
threw a nest of young foxes into the cradle where she sat. The road 
through New I\lills was known by blazed trees. BIr. Putnam in- 
tended to set his mill on Milking Point, supposing that as it was nearer 
Salem, il would possess advantages over the spot he subsequently 
j chose; but when he saw the excellent privileges of the latter place, he 
! concluded to remain. From this time until 1770 this house and two 
I others were all that stood between Crane River bridge and the Plains. 
i In 1775 there were ten between the same places. It is related that 
at this time the poorer portion of the people were accustomed to 
cross the river and glean the forest in the track of tha wealthy owners 
of Orchard farm. These owners were accustomed to chop their trees 
off from four to six feet from tbe ground. Thus many choice logs 
were left which the neighbors were glad to remove from the soil. 

(F.) He was killed in the French war. 

(g.) ThosJ who desired to pervert travel from Danvers called 
this bridge "Spite bridge" a name which is even now occasionally 
heard. Those who built it, however, have always caHed it "Liberty 
Bridge." 

(h.) Some thirty years after this vote was passed, that is during 
Dt. Wadsworth'e pastorship, as the learned Dr. was one day passing 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 69 

along the road, he came across a fellow named Goudy, who had the 
reputatioa of having a dyspeptic brain. He was cutting barberry 
bushes. "Goudy," said the Dr. "for what purpose do you suppose 
barberry bushes were made?" "I dun know for sartain," was the 
reply, "but I rayther guess to whip ministers with, and make them 
stick to their texts .'" Tliis Goudy was one day away from home, 
and a severe thunder-storm commencing, he turned to go, saying: "I 
must go home ; my wife is bashful when it thunders !" 



CHAPTER IV. 

The spirit of freedom that actuated the revolutionary 
sires, and spurred them onward in their efforts to snap 
the manacles of oppression, was exhibited in Danvers 
at a very early period. The people of this toAvn seemed 
to scent the danger from afar, and while the mass of 
the colonists were unconscious of the progress of the 
tide which was slowly rolling in over their rights and 
privileges, they beheld it, and prophesying its further 
advance, sounded the tocsin of alarm. The celebrated 
Stamp Act passed in the year 1765, and became the 
law of the colonies. Dr. Franklin, then in London, 
wrote a letter to Charles Thompson, the night after the 
passage of the act, in which he said among other things : 
"The Sun of Liberty is set; the Americans must 
light the'lamps of industry and economy,''^ To which 
Mr. Thompson sagaciously replied : '^Be assured ive 
shall light torches quite of another sortP^ Kindred 
to this spirit, was that of the people of this town, who, 
on the twenty-ninth of October, instructed Thomas Por- 
ter, their representative, as follows : 

"Sir. "We the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of 



70 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 

the town of Danvers, in Town meeting assembled, 
the Twenty first of October, A. D. 1765— 

^'Professing the Greatest Loyalty to our Most Gracious 
Soverign, and our Sincere Regard and Reverence for 
the British Parliament, as the Most Powerful! and Re- 
spectable Body of Men on Earth, yet being Deeply Sen- 
sible of the Difficultys and Distresses to which that 
August Assembly's Late Exertions of their Power in 
and by the Stamp Act, Must Necessarily Expose us, 
Think it Proper in the Present Critical Conjuncture of 
affairs, to give you the following Instructions — 

"Yiz : That you Promote and readily Joyn in such 
Dutifull Remonstrances and Humble Petitions to the 
King & Parliament, and other Decent Measures, as 
may have a Tendency to Obtain a Repeal of the Stamp 
Act, or aleviation of the Heavy Burdens thereby Im- 
posed on the British Colonies. 

"And, in as much as great Tumults Tending to the 
Subversion of Government have Lately Happened, & 
Several Outrages Comitted by some evil minded People 
in the Capital Town of this Province, you are therefore 
Directed to Bear Testimony against, and do all in your 
Power to suppress or Prevent all Riotous Assembly s, 
and unlawful! Acts of Yiolence, upon the Persons or 
Substances of any of his Majesty's Subjects. 

"And that you do not give your Assent to any Act 
of Assembly, that shall Imply the willingness of } our 
Constituants to submit to any Internal Taxes that are or 
shall be Imposed on us, Otherwise than by the Great 
and General Court of this Province, according to the 
Constitution of this Government. 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 71 

"And that you be Careful not to give your Assent to 
any Extravigant Grants out of the Publick Treasure- 
ry, &c." 

On the twenty-third day of the following December 
Mr. Porter received instructions substantially the same 
as the foregoing. But in addition, the people ask : 

"Can it be thought consistant with the Dignity of the 
Brittish Crown, for the Parliament of Great Brittain 
to Divest us of those Rights and Powers, Those Emolu- 
ments, Libertys, & Privileges which have in the most 
absolute, authentick, and Ample manner, for them- 
selves and their successors forever been Given, Grant- 
ed and Confirmed to us and our Heirs forever, by King 
Charles ye First in the Fourth year of his Reign, and 
again by King William ye Third, and Queen Mary, in 
the third year of their Reign ; especially, considering 
what unutterable Fateagues and Perrills we have under- 
gone, and the vast Treasure of Blood as well as Money 
we have expended, for the gaining and Maintaining our 
Possessions, of those Rights, Libertys, & Privileges, 
which too we have never forfeited or Resigned, but 
have now near One Hundred & forty years been pos- 
sessed of. 

"Had the Inhabitants of Great Brittain any Claim, 
or Pretence of Right to these American "VYilds, when 
our Fathers first adventured to Land here, or were our 
Fathers Sent here by them, and at their Charge, to ac- 
quire Such Rights for them, if not, but if our Fathers 
thus at their OAvn proper Risk and Charge, adventur- 
ed into this then Howling Wilderness, why should they 
envy us the full and quiet Enjoyment of those Territo- 



72 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 



rjs, which either by purchase or Conquest, we have 
justly acquired for ourselves and Children ? We envy 
them not in the Possession and Enjoyment of the Rich 
Patrimony we wholly left to and with them, when we 
Left the Brittish Isle, and are content with the Portion, 
which b}^ the Blessing of God, and with the leave, and 
under the Directions of the King, of our conimon Fath- 
er we acquired for ourselves &c. ''They then set forth, 
that as they fought against France, and expected and 
received no advantage from England's victories, they 
do not feel willing to relinquish any advantage the Col- 
onies have acquired. They then add i 

"In case, (if so wild a supposition may be advanc- 
ed,) our Great and General Court being Deeply Im- 
pressed with the Thought that the Province is very 
havily laden with Debt, and Labours under Great Bur- 
dens in Regard of their Trade & Commerce, which 
makes Money exceeding scarse among us. Should Con- 
trive a Law, whereby the Inhabitants of Great Brit- 
tain, who so much Abound in Riches, and Enjoy so 
flourishing and Extensive a Trade and Commerce, 
should be subjected to a Tax for our Easement and Re- 
lief, Can it Rationally be Supposed that our King 
would approve of such Laws?" They then declare 
that Taxation and Representation must go together, 
and then say, — "It is not in their Power," (the Par- 
liament) "to make the Easterly Banks of America con- 
tiguous to the Westerly Banks of Great Britain, which 
Banks have lain and still ly one Thousand Leagues 
distant from Each Other, and till they can do this, they 
Cannot, (as we Humbly Concieve,) Provide for the 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 73 



Good Government of His Majisfcy'e Subjects in these 
two Distant Regions, without ye Establishment of a 
Different Power, Both Legeslative and Executive in 
Each." They then urge Mr. Porter to demand a re- 
peal of the stamp act. They say they are willing to 
be subject to the ''Greatest and best of Kings,*' and to 
assist him always, but they think men of "Envious and 
Depraved Minds" have advised him wrongly. They 
think that their grievance is such, as "cannot but be re- 
sented by every True Englishman, who has any Spark 
of Generous Fire Remaning in His Breast." 

It should be remembered that these instructions 
were given in the year 1765, — ten years before the 
battle of Lexin2;ton. 

Samuel Holten, the Representative for the year 
1768, was requested to join a Convention to be gath- 
ered in Faneuil Hall, Boston, on the twenty-second 
day of September, to consist of delegates from the dif- 
ferent towns in the Commonwealth. It was held sever- 
al days, and the differences between the Colonies and 
the Mother country were fully canvassed. Dr. Hol- 
ten sustained an active part in the deliberations, and dis- 
tinguished himself for that zeal and strength which al- 
ways characterized him. 

The attention of the people continued awake to the 
difficulties between the two countries, and they constant- 
ly fanned the flame of freedom with that zeal created 
by a love of Liberty. A continual observation of the 
signs of the times was held, and a thorough knowledge 
of the progress of affairs prevailed universally. The 
morning greeting and the evening salute were concluded 



74 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

by converse on the state of public affairs, and all of 
the social gatherings were enlivened or depressed, as 
the matter communicated was cheering or saddening. 
Young and Old prayed that open rebellion and civil war 
might be averted, but demanded these rather than sla- 
very. 

The year 1770 was distinguished by the passage of 
the Non-Importation Agreement on the part of the ^ler- 
chants of Boston. The act of Parliament of 1767, 
which laid a tax on glass, paper, tea and several other 
articles, was during this year partially repealed, chiefly 
through the exertions of Lord North. The tax on tea 
was allowed to remain. Although the partial repeal of 
duties mollified in some measure the public indignation? 
yet the Colonists wxre unwilling to submit to this sin- 
gle encroachment. The Non-importation agi'eement 
therefore, passed by the merchants of several towns in 
the Commonwealth, expressed a determination to im- 
port no goods from Great Britain, that had passed un- 
der the Tariff, particularly the article of Tea; and 
they recommended that all who were disposed to resist 
the tyranny of England, should refrain from the use 
of tea. On the twenty-eighth of May, the people of 
this town voted : — "That this Town Highly approves of 
the Spirited Conduct of the Merchants of our Metropo- 
hs, and the other Maritime Towns in this Province, in 
an agreement of Non-Importation, well calculated to 
Restore our Invaluable Rights and Liberties. Voted : 
that we will not ourselves, (to our knowledge,) or by 
any person, for or under us, Directly or Indirectly, Pur- 
chase of such Person or Persons, any Goods whatever, 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 75 



and as far as we can effect it, Trill withdraw our con- 
nection from every Person who shall Import Goods from 
Great Brittain, Contrary to the Agreement of the Mer- 
chants aforesaid. Voted that we Avili not drink any 
Tea ourselves, and use our best endeavours to prevent 
our Famihes, and those connected with them, from the 
use thereof, from this Date, until the Act imposing a 
Duty on that Article be repealed, or a general Importa- 
tion shall take place. Cases of Sickness Excepted.'' 
To carry out the public feeling, a Committee of twelve 
was raised, whose duty it was to convey a copy of the 
above to every family in the town, to receive the sig- 
natures of the people. The Committee was instructed 
to write the names of all who refused to append their 
signatures to these articles, and publish them as enemies 
to the country. The resolutions were printed in the 
Essex Gazette. Isaac Wilson (see ''Bell Tavern,") 
seems to have been the only one who opposed the popu- 
lar enthusiasm. 

Nothing more of note occun^ed, until June 1772, 
when Messrs. Francis Symonds, Benja. Proctor, Gide- 
on Putnam, Capt. Wm. Shillaber, Dea. Amos Putnam, 
Tarrant Putnam Jr, and Wm. Pool, were chosen as a 
Committee to take into account our civil liberties. 
They drew up the following resolutions, which were 
presented to, and adopted by the town, unanimously. 

"I. Resolved that we will use our utmost endeavors 
that all Constitutional Laws are strictly adhered to, and 
Faithfully Executed, believing that next to our Duty to 
God, Loyalty to our King, (in a constitutional way,) is 
Required, in Order to the well-being of the Community. 



76 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

"II. That when Government becomes Tyrannical 
and Oppressive, we hold ourselves bound in Duty to 
Ourselves and Posterity, to use Every Lawful Method 
to Check the Same, least it deprive the Subject of ev- 
ery Privilege that is Valuable. 

"III. that it is the Opinion of this Town that the 
Rights of the Collonists in General, and this Province 
in Particular, have of late been greatly Infringed Up- 
on, by the Mother Country, by Unconstitutional Mea- 
ures, which have been adopted by the Ministry, tend- 
ing wholly to Overthrow our Civil Priviledges ; Partic- 
ularly in Assuming the Power of Legislation for the 
Collonists, in Raising a Revenue in the Colonies without 
their Consent, in Creating a Number of Officers un- 
known to the Charter, and investing such officers with 
powers wholly unconstitutional and Destructive to the 
Liberties we have a Right to Enjoy as Englishmen, in 
Rendering the Governor Independent of the General 
Assembly for his support ; and, by Instructions from the 
Court of Great Britain, the first Branch of our Legis- 
lature has so far forgot his Duty to the Province, as 
that he hath refused to Consent to an Act imposing a 
Tax for the Necessary support of Government unless 
Certain Persons pointed out by the Ministry were 
Exempted from paying their just Proportion of said 
Taxes ; and hath given up the Chief Fortress of the 
Province (Castle "William) into the Hands of Troops 
over whom he Declared he had no Control ; in Extend- 
ing the power of Courts of Vice Admiralty to such a 
Degree, as Deprives the People of the Collonies (in 
Great Measure) of their inestimable Rights of Tryals 



=^m 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 77 

bj Juries, & in that we have reason to fear (from In- 
formation,) the Judges of the Superior Court &&c 
Rendered independent of the People for their Lib- 
erties. 

"IIII. that an act of Parliament, intitled an Act 
for the better Preservation of his Majesties dockyards 
&&C., (in consequence of which Commissioners have 
been Appointed to enquire after the persons Concerned 
in burning his Majesties schooner, the Gaspee, att 
Providence,) has Greatly alarmed us; tho' we are very 
far from Pretending to justify the Act, yet we appre- 
hend, such Methods very Extraordinary, as the Consti- 
tution has Made Provision for the Punishment of such 
Offenders ; — by all which it appears to us, that in Con- 
sequence of Some Unguarded Conduct of Particular 
Persons, the Colonies in General and this Province in 
Particular, are, for our Loyaltj^, Constantly receiving 
the Punishment due to Rebellion Only. 

^'V. that we will use all Lawful Endeavours for Re- 
covering, Maintaining and Preserving the invaluable 
Rights and Privileges of this People, and Stand Ready 
(if need be,) to Risque Our Lives & fortunes in De- 
fence of those Liberties which our forefathers Purchased 
at so dear a Rate. 

"VI. That the Inhabitants of this Town do hereby 
Instruct their Representative, that he Use his Influence 
in the Great & General Court or Assembly of this Prov- 
ince, & in a Constitutional way. Earnestly Contend for 
the just Rights k Privileges of the People, that they may 
be handed down inviolate to the latest Posterity, and 
as this Depends in a great Measure on the steady, firm, 



tits 



78 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

and united Endeavors of all the Provinces on the Con- 
tinent, we further Instruct him to use his Influence, 
that a Strict Union and Correspondence be Cultivated 
and Preserved between the same, & that thej unitedly 
Petition his Majesty . & Parhament for the Redress of 
our Public greivances : we further Instruct him by no 
means to Consent to Give up any of our Privileges, 
whether derived from Nature, or Charter, which we 
have as just a Right to Enjoy, as any of the Inhabi- 
tants of Great Brittain : also, that he use his Endeavors 
that Ample and Honerable Sallaries be Granted to his 
Excellency the Governor, & to the Honerable Judges 
of the Superior Court &&c., adequate to their Respec- 
tive Dignities." 

Immediately thereafter. Dr. Samuel Holten, Tarrant 
Putnam, and Capt. Wm. Shillaber, were chosen a Com- 
mittee to correspond with the Committee of Corres- 
pondence for Boston and other towns, on all matters 
touching the pubUc affairs. The Committee sent the 
foregoing resolutions to the Con.mittee of Correspon- 
dence for Boston. (This year a difference arose in the 
town concerning annual and other public meetings, and 
after appealing to General Court, it was decided that 
town meetings should for the future be held in the 
North and South Parishes alternately. It was agitated 
to build a town house in the centre of the town, but the 
motion did not prevail.) 

The people continued watchful, and evidently waited 
for an overt act on the part of the oppressor, to appeal 
to arms. Even the clergy threw out words significant 
of meaning, and hopeful for the cause of freedom. Mr. 



1 



HISTORY OF DANYERS. 79 

Holt at the Middle Precinct was heard to say, — "I had 
rather live on potatoes than submit." He procured a 
musket, and performed drill-service regularl}- in the 
ranks of Capt. Eppes' company. Mr. Wadsworth of 
the Village parish was very ardent, and when the en- 
gagement at North River Bridge occurred, he shoulder- 
ed his musket, and marched to Salem. 

Thomas Gage the Royal Governor of Massachusetts, 
finding his situation in Boston unpleasant, removed to 
Danvers, where in the "Collins House" he took up his 
residence June 6th, 1774. 

This house, formerly occupied by Judge Collins, was 
built by Robert Hooper, known in his day as King Hoop- 
er, — on account of his wealth, and the state in which 
he lived, and is now owned and occupied by Rev. P. 
S. Ten-Broeck, grandson of Gen. Abraham Ten-Broeck, 
who was distinguished in the Revolution. It is one of 
the finest mansions in the State. See Note. 

Gov. Gage was attended by two companies of the 64th 
Regiment Royal Troops from Castle William. They 
arrived July 21st, and during their stay, were encamp- 
ed in the wide field in which are Tapley's brickyards. 
There are many anecdotes told of the impression which 
their presence produced on the people, (a) Although 
they seemed quite free in their intercourse with the citi- 
zens, yet they preserved a good degree of watchfulness. 
But the people were jealous of their presence, and took 
measures to hasten their departure. They had not been 
encamped in Danvers quite three months, when the 
lively spirit of rebellion in the town forced them to re- 
main under arms every night to prevent surprise. "Part 



SI 



80 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

of the Gttth Regiment encamped near the Governor's, 
we hear, were under Arms all last Friday night." Es- 
sex Gazette, Aug. 23. 1774. (b) At length on the 
fifth of September the companies started in the night 
for Boston, (c) 

The restraint imposed upon the people of this town 
and vicinity by the presence of the soldiers, was re- 
moved by their departure, and consultations were held 
to determme on future action. Doctor Ilolten was in- 
structed September 27th, 1774 as follows : 

"Sir : As we have now chosen you to Represent us 
in the Great and General Court to be holden in Salem 
on Wednesday the 5th day of October next ensuing : 
We do hereby Instruct you that in all your doings as a 
member of the House of Representatives, you adhere 
firmly to the Charter of this Province granted by their 
Majesties King WiUiam and Queen Mary, and that you 
do no act which can be possibly construed into an Ac- 
knowledgement of the Act of the British Parliament for 
Altering the Government of Massachusetts Bay, more 
especially that you acknowledge the Honorable Board 
of Counsellors Elected by the General Court at their 
session in May last, as the only rightful and constitu- 
tional Council of this Province. And as we have Rea- 
son to believe that a Conscientious Discharge of your 
Duty will produce your Dissolution as an House of 
Representatives, We do hereby impower and Instruct 
you, to join with the Members who may be sent from 
this and the neighboring Towns in the Province, and 
meet with them at a time to be agreed on, in a General 
Provincial Congress, to act upon such matters as may 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 81 

come before you, in such a manner as shall appear to be 
most conducive to the true Interest of this Town and 
Province, and most likely to preserve the liberties of 
all America." 

The Government of England was virtually repudiat- 
ed November 21st, 1T74, when the Town voted to ad- 
here strictly to all the Resolves and Recommendations 
of the Provincial Congress. 

At this time, the Representative was chosen by each 
of the yoters passing by the Moderator, and informing 
him aloud who was his nominee. Dr. Hoi ten was in this 
way unanimously chosen. 

Thus the people were ripe for a revolution. On the Ad. 
vent of the year 1775, a year so filled with events to this 
Republic, the people of Danvers were prepared to embark 
in the stormy struggle of war. Accordingly, on the 
ninth of January, it was voted to comply with the Pro- 
vincial Recommendation, and supply each man with "an 
effective Fire Arm, Bayonet, Pouch, Knapsack, Thirty 
Rounds of Cartridges and Ball, and that they be Dis- 
ciplined three times a week, and oftener as opportunity 
may offer." It was also determined that each man 
should receive one shilling for each half day he was in 
service. Although there had been no rupture, no en- 
gagement, yet the horizon was overcast, and the growl- 
ings of the tempest in the distance, gave portentous 
warnings of a coming storm. The people waited for 
the signal, to commence an effort for freedom. 

On the nineteenth inst. it %as resolved to adhere 
strictly to all the requisitions of the Continental Con- 
gress, and Capt. William Shillaber, Capt. Jeremiah 



82 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

Page, Dr. Samuel Holten, Jonathan Proctor, Dr. Amos 
Putnam, Capt. William Putnam, Capt. Benjamin 
Proctor, Capt. Samuel Epes, and Capt Israel Hutchinson 
were appointed to see that the citizens of Danvers were 
obedient. It was also voted "that the meeting of the In- 
habitants of this town in parties at Houses of Entertain- 
ment, for the purpose of Dancing, Feasting &c., is ex- 
pressly against the Eighth Article of the American Con- 
gress Association. Therefore the Committee of Inspect- 
ion are Particularly instructed to take care that the said 
eighth article in the Association is strictly compliedwith." 

The zeal of these times may be learned by the fact, 
that March 6th, 1775, the third Alarm-list chose its offi- 
cers as follows : Capt. Dea. Edward Putnam ; Lieut. 
Rev. Benj. Balch; Ensign, J)ea, Tarrant Putnam. 

There had been several gun carriages made by Rich- 
ard Skidmore a wheel-wright at New Mills, and lodged 
at the Gardner Farm, (d.) A report of this fact had 
reached Boston, and a detachment of soldiers was sent in 
a transport, and ordered to land at Marblehead, and 
march overland to Danvers and destroy them. The 
orders were obeyed, and the success they met with may 
be seen in the following extract from the "American 
Archives. '^ 

(Capt. Samuel Eppes and his company of men 
had been for some time previous in a state of read- 
iness, and they marched to repel these invaders at the 
first warning.) 

Salem, Feb. 28th, 1775. 

"Last Sabbath, the 26th inst., the peace of the town 
was disturbed by the landing of a regiment of the king's 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 83 

troops, the particulars relative to -which are as fol- 
lows : 

"A transport arrived at Marhleliead, apparently man- 
ned as usual. Between two and three o'clock, (as soon 
as the people had gone to meeting) the decks were cov- 
ered with soldiers, who having loaded, and fixed their 
bayonets, landed with great despatch, and instantly 
marched off. Some of the inhabitants suspecting they 
were bound to Salem, to seize some materials there 
preparing for an artillery, despatched several messen- 
gers to inform us of it. These materials were on the 
north side of the North River, and to come at them it 
was necessary to cross a bridge, one part of which was 
made to draw up to let vessels pass. The inhabitants 
kept a look out for the appearance of the troops. The 
van guard arrived, and took their route down town as 
far as the Long Wharf, perhaps to decoy the inhabi- 
tants thither, away from the place to wdiich the main 
body was destined. The main body arrived soon after, 
and halted a few minutes by the Town House. It is 
said that inquiry v,'as immediately made by some of the 
officers for a half brother of Col. Browne the Man- 
damus Counsellor. Be this as it may, he was seen whis- 
pering in the Colonel's ear, in the front of the regiment 
and when he parted from the Col. the regiment march- 
ed with a quick pace towards the North Bridge ; just 
before entering upon which the bridge was pulled up. 
The regiment however pushed on till they came to the 
bridge, not observing (as it seemed) that it w-as draw^n 
up. The Col. expressed some surprise ; and turning 
about, ordered an officer to face his company to a body 



84 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 



of men standing on a wharf on the other side of the 
draw bridge and to fire. One of our townsmen (who 
had kept along side of the Col. from the time he 
marched from his own house) told him he had better not 
fire ; that he had no right to fire without further orders 
and if you do fire (said he) you will be all dead men. 
The company neither faced nor fired. The Colonel re- 
tired to the centre of his regiment, assembled his offi- 
cers and held a consultation ; which being ended he ad- 
vanced a little, and declared he would maintain his 
ground, and go over the bridge if it was a month first. 
The same townsman replied, he might stay there as long 
as he pleased no one cared for that. The half brother 
before mentioned, (it is said) made towards the bridge 
but seeing the draw bridge up said "it is all over with 
us." 

"He has since disappeared, meanwhile two large gon- 
dolas that lay aground (for it was low water) were scut- 
tled, lest they should cross the channel with them. 
But whilst one gentleman was scuttling his own gondo- 
la, a party of about twenty soldiers jumped into it, and 
with their bayonets charged against our unarmed towns. 
men, (some of whom they pricked) compelled them to 
quit it ; but before this a sufficient hole was made in the 
bottom. This attack of the soldiers, and some other oc- 
currences occasioned a little bickering, but by the inter- 
position of some of the inhabitants, the disputes subsid- 
ed. At length some gentleman asked the Colonel what 
was his design in making this movement, and why he 
would cross the bridge ? He said, I have orders to 
cross it, and he would cross it if he lost his life with 



HISTORY OP DAXVERS. 85 

the lives of all his men ; and asked, why the king's 
highway was obstructed ? He was told it was not the 
king's road, but the property of the inhabitants, who 
had a right to do what they pleased with it. Finally 
the Col. said he must go over, and if the bridge was let 
down so as he might pass, he pledged his honor he 
would not march above thirty rods beyond it, and then 
immediately return. 

"The regiment had now been at the bridge about an 
hour and a half; and everything being secured, the in- 
habitants directed that the bridge might be let down. 
The regiment immediately passed over, marched a few 
rods, returned, and with great expedition went back to 
Marbleheady where they went on board the transport 
without delay. 

"When all the circumstances are considered, there can 
remain no doubt that the sole purpose of this manoeuvre 
was to steal away the artillery materials. 

"It is regretted that an officer of Col. Leslie s ack- 
nowledged worth, should be obliged, in obedience to his 
orders, to come upon so pitiful an errand. Various reports 
were spread abroad respecting the troops ; the country 
was alarmed, and one company arrived in arms from 
Danvers, just as the troops left the town. We immedi- 
ately despatched messengers to the neighboring towns 
to save them the trouble of coming in ; but the alarm 
flew like lightning (and some, doubtless, mag ified the 
first simple reports) so that great numbers were in arms, 
and some on their march, before our messengers arriv- 
ed." The alarm extended forty miles, and the Essex 
Gazette of that date, says 40,000 men would have arriv- 



m- 



86 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 

ed in a few hours. The British numbered 140, and the 
Americans under Col. Pickering about 50. ''Many of 
the people were armed with pitchforks, clubs and other 
rude weapons. One man laid bare his bosom and dared 
the British soldier, who Ayas threatening him with his 
bayonet, to strike." 

Col. Pickering informed John W. Proctor, Esq., 
that he scuttled with his own hands, one of the gondo- 
las referred to in the above account. 

This was the first resistance, bloodless indeed, but de- 
termined, which was made on the part of the people of 
this country to the encroachment of foreign aggression. 
In the Town of Salem, nearly two months before the 
battle of Lexington, the people of Danvers joined by 
those of Salem, opposed and beat back the foe, and 
estabhshed their title to the quality of determined brav- 
ery. But for the calmness and discretion of Leslie the 
Enghsh Commander, North Bridge would have taken 
the place of Lexington, and February 26th, would have 
been forever memorable in the Annals of the Republic. 

The Nineteenth of April arrived. The day which 
was to baptize the soil of Concord and Lexington had 
dawned. Its history need not here be related. It is 
sufficient to say, that in the night of April 18th, about 
800 soldiers were despatched to destroy mihtary stores 
supposed to be secreted at Concord. The expedition 
started in the night with the greatest precaution, and 
arrived at Lexington at about four o'clock in the morn- 
ing. The battle was fought, and the British were driven 
like frightened deer, before the defenders of freedom." 
A reinforcement came to their relief, and met them 



5)5 

HISTORY OF DAXYERS. 87 



when tliej were half of a mile beyond Lexington meet- 
ing house. The English forces, amounting to about 
1800 men, commenced their retreat. 

The news of the battle reached Danvers at about 9 
o'clock A. M., and was communicated to the citizens 
by the ringing of bells, and the sound of drums. The 
call awakes the land. From every shop and field and 
bench, the hardy sons of Liberty throng to their 
rendezvous, near the Old South. With firm tread and 
dauntless bearing they gather around the edifice where 
they have prayed and worshipped, and when they un- 
derstand the tidings, each man clenches his teeth, 
seizes his musket, and prepares for the march, (e.) 
The women are there. And not with entreaty and 
fear do they gather around their guardians and j^rotect- 
ors. They gird the sword, and fasten the belt. Pale, 
but strong in faith and a love of country, they bid their 
husbands and sons and fathers God speed, and. return 
to theii' deserted homes. Mr. Holt, the Minister of 
the Middle Precinct, gave his parting benediction to 
them, and they started for the field of death. So gen- 
erally did the men forsake their homes to attack the 
invading foe, "vv-hen freedom from her mountain height, 
unfurled her standard in the air," that at the New 
Mills, there were but two men left on the night of the 
Nineteenth. Frank Brown was confined to his bed by 
sickness, and Jonathan Sawyer returned just at night- 
fall from the battle to brino- news of the Hvins; and the 
dead. Before sunset of this day, the wives and chil- 
dren of those who had rushed from New Mills, to obey 
the cry of Freedom, gathered in the house now oc- 



88 HISTORY OF DANVEKS. 

cupied by Mrs. Reed, and thus, passed the night. 
Amid fears of approaching foes,- — doubts of the living, 
and tears for the wounded and the dead, — they did not 
discover the bright days of Peace and Plenty which 
have since visited their descendants. But they did not 
quail. The women were true. They cheerfully suf- 
fered privation, and urged their sons and brothers to 
"fight the good fight." 

The Muster Rolls of the State, give but four com- 
panies from Danvers, omitting the company of minute 
men commanded by Foster. Foster is set down as a 
Lieutenant in Eppes' company, but he himself informs 
us, that he was placed in command of a company a 
short time previous to the battle. Thus Danvers con- 
tributed five companies, commanded by Jeremiah Page, 
Samuel Flint, Samuel Eppes, Gideon Foster and Israel 
Hutchinson, numbering in all above two hundred men 
from Danvers, besides those from Salem and Beverly. 
Thus they started for the scene of action, (f.) 
When the news of the intention of the British Veached 
Danvers, Foster sent one of his lieutenants to Col. Pick- 
ering and obtained permission to start with his minute 
men, without waiting for the movement of the regiment. 

They arrived at West Cambridge a distance of six- 
teen miles in four hours. There they met the retreat- 
ing British, and poured in a most destructive fire, (q) 
Col. Pickering (ii) with his regiment came on more 
slowly. Hon. D. P. King has thus described the scene : 

"Our townsmen heard the roar of the artillery and 
the rattle of the musketry, and they panted to join in 
the deadly combat. A little west of the meeting-house 

i if 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 89 

is a hill around whicli tlie road wound in such manner 
as to conceal the British. IMany of the men of Dan- 
vers went into a walled enclosure and piled bundles of 
shingles which were lying there, to strengthen their 
breast- work ; rumor had deceived them as to the force 
of the enemy ; it was certainly their expectation here 
to have intercepted their retreat. Others selected 
trees on the side of the hill from which they might as- 
sail the enemy. But they had little space for prepara- 
tion : they soon saw the British in solid column de- 
scending the hill on their right, and at the same mo- 
ment discovered a large flank guard advancing on their 
left. The men in the enclosure made a gallant resis. 
tance, but were overpowered by numbers — it was here 
that several of thoso whom we are proud to claim for 
our townsmen were slain— some sought shelter in a 
neighboring house, and three or four, after they had 
surrendered themselves prisoners of war, were butcher- 
ed with savage barbarity. 

^^Capt. Foster, with some of his men on the side of 
the hill, finding themselves nearly surrounded, made 
an effort to gain the pond-^they passed along its mar- 
gin, and crossed the road directly in front of the Brit- 
ish column. On the north side of the road, they took 
position behind a ditch wall. From this casual redoubt 
they fired upon the enemy as long as any of them were 
within reach of their muskets. Some of them fired 
eleven times, with two bullets at each discharge, and it 
cannot be doubted that these winged messengers of 
death performed their destined work, (i) The bodies ! 
of the slain were scattered alono; the road — the British j 



a 



gW« »^ - ■ ■ '.. . - - ■ ' ' ■ ■ ■ ■ = 

fl 90 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 



were followed till they reached Charlestown neck. Mor- 
tifjing and severe to them were the defeat and losses 
of that day. Their killed, wounded and missing 
amounted to about 300. — According to an account pub- 
lished at the time, in the form of a handbill, 42 Ameri- 
cans were killed and 22 wounded, — " afterwards ascer- 
tained to be 50 killed. 

To the English Soldiery, this must have been an aw- 
ful retreat. The weather was very warm, the sun 
poured down his fiercest rays, — the air was dry, and as 
they hurried along their route, towards the place of safe- 
ty miles away, death intercepted their progress at ev- 
ery step. An unseen foe, from behind enclosures and 
from the midst of thickets, poured out a galhng and 
continuous fire, which ever and anon smote down some 
veteran in the midst of his days and strength, while 
from closed teeth, sharp, hoarse whispers were heard 
saying, "Kill that officer P^ Wearied, wounded, per- 
ishing with thirst, and diminished in numbers, they 
were pursued to Charlestown. 

The men of Danvers performed their part faithfully, 
and informed the Countr}^ by their heroic deeds, that 
Tyranny would find in them uncompromising foiJS. But 
the victory achieved by our townsmen was fraught with 
sadness. Seven of those who left town in the morning 
and saw the rising sun, saw not its setting. Two oth- 
ers were carried into captivity, several slightly wounded, 
and two severely so. 

The names of the slain were Samuel Cook, aged 33 
years, Benjamin Daland 25, George Southwick 25, 
(j) Jotham Webb 22, Henry Jacobs 22, Ebenezer 



HISTORY OP DANVERS. 91 

Goldthwaite 22, Perley Putnam 21. The bodies of the 
slain were brought homo, and were buried with appro- 
priate ceremonies. Two companies from Salem per- 
formed escort duty, (k) Nathan Putnam was woun- 
ded in the shoulder. He and his brother Perlej who 
was killed were relatives of Israel Putnam. Dennison 
Wallis was at first taken prisoner. The enemy were 
so infuriated at the havoc made by the patriot troops , 
that they determined to kill all the prisoners they cap- 
tured. Walhs saw this, and in attempting to escape he 
received twelve bullets. He fell by the side of a wall 
he was leaping, and was left for dead. He recovered, 
and effected his escape. Joseph Bell was taken pris- 
oner and carried into Boston, where he was imprisoned 
two months in an English frigate. 

Many chivalric deeds were performed by our citizens, 
in winning this doubtful conflict. Brave and fearless 
they "dared do all that might become men," for their 
country ; and if the 19th of April 1775, was a glori- 
ous day for America, then was it glorious also for Dan- 
vers who sacrificed seven of her bravest sons on the Al- 
tar of Liberty, out of the fifty who there perished, and 
although she was farther from Lexington than any of 
her sister towns who were represented at the battle, yet 
she lost more of her children than any other town ex- 
cept Lexington. 

The utmost watchfulness was observed from the "Con- 
cord Fight" onv,ard, on account of a fear of invasion. 
May 1st. it was "voted to keep a watch at New Mills, and 
another at the crotch in the road near Mr. Francis Sy- 
monds, and that each watch consist of thirteen men ev- 



92 HISTORY OF D AX VERS. 



erj night.'' So jealous were the people, and so fearful 
were they of mternal foes, that it was voted to post in 
the newspapers the names of all who refused to serve 
in the Republican troops. About this time military and 
other stores were carted to "Watertown, and the town 
voted to assist. All firing of guns &c.,was prohibited, 
except in actual alarm or engagement. The expecta- 
tion of an outbreak was realized on the memorable 17th. 
of June, when the battle of Bunker's Hill was fought. A 
regiment commanded by €ol. Timothy Pickering on its 
way to the field of battle passed through Danvers and hal- 
ted at the Bell Tavern for refreshment. Mrs. Anna En- 
dicott, widow of Samuel who died in August 1809, dis- 
pleased at the delay, walked up to the Col., and with 
the voice and manner of an Amazon said: ''Why on earth 
don't you march ? Don't you hear the guns in Charles- 
town?" 

Capt. Gideon Foster's (l.) company was station- 
ed at Brighton then called Little Cambridge. He was 
ordered by Gen. Ward, to escort a load of ammunition 
to Charlestown. Capt. Foster obeyed and met the 
Americans when on their retreat. Their powder was 
consumed, and he supplied them with ammunition loose 
in casks, for one more grapple with death. Capt. Foster 
in his old age revived the reminiscence thus : "We took 
the ammunition in casks, and conveyed it in wagons, and 
delivered it freely with our hands and our dippers, to 
their horns, their pockets their hats, and whatever else 
they had that would hold it. I well remember the black- 
ened appearance of those busy in this work, — not unlike 
those engaged in tlie delivery of coal on a hot summer's 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 93 

day. At the same time we were thus occupied, the en- 
emy's shot were constantly whistling by ; but we had no 
time to examine their character or dimensions. I have 
often thought what might have been our condition, had 
one of these hot shot unceremoniously come in contact 
with our wagons." 

Captain Foster's companj^ belonged to Colonel i^Ians- 
field's regiment which was stationed on Prospect Hill. 
Gen. Putnam commanded there. An order was issued 
calling all the captains together. They were told that 
a captain was wanted to engage in a very arduous enter- 
terprise, and a volunteer was called for. When Foster 
found no one willing to offer services, he presented 
himself and was accepted. Several soldiers were drawn 
from each company, and properly armed, they repaired 
to Gen. Putnam's quarters to receive instructions. Af- 
ter reviewing them, " Old Pat" deprived them of their 
equipments and furnishing them with axes, sent them in- 
to a swamp, where they were engaged in cutting fascines 
(faggots,) and in bringing them in on their backs. 

"The men expected to gain honor by their expo- 
sure to unknown dangers: but their greatest danger 
was from the attack of musquitoes and their great- 
est exposure was to the mirth of their fellow sold- 
iers." 

The day of the battle was very sultry. The season 
was far advanced. Saturday, the 17th of June, was 
a warm, clear day. "Farmers generally had com- 
menced haying — the new mown grass was pressed be- 
tween the rails to form a breast-work on Bunker Hill — 
green peas were common and plenty in the market ; all 



m m 

94 HISTORY OF DANYERS. 



of which indicate that the season "was a fortnight earlier 
than it is on an average of years.'' 

The day passed. The battle was fought. A shout_ 
was raised, whose echoes have not yet ceased to rever 
berate. The Americans lost, — but they won, — the 
British gained a victor}^, w^hich was worse than an ordi- 
nary defeat. Undisciplined Bravery gave disciplined 
Tyranny a bitter lesson. Neither was it a mere fight. 
A principle was asserted and maintained, a principle 
which shall not be forgotten, while the Monument on 
Bunker's Height, that "grey granite finger planted in 
the heroes' blood-stained sod, and pointing aloft to the he- 
roes' home," — shall endure ! 

On the ITth of July, one month after the battle of 
Bunker's Hill, the town watch was discontinued, "by 
reason of Congress placing soldiers to guard the seaport 
towns." Dr. Calef, of Ipswich, during the summer 
of 1775, built a ship at New IMills, and on the fifth of 
December of the same year, the Mass. Legislature 
"Ordered, That Dummer Jeivett Esq. apply to Dr. 
Calef of Iijswich, and require of him such information 
relative to a (m.) new ship lately built by his direction 
at the JS^ezo 3Iills, as he can confirm when called upon 
on oath, and that he be desired to furnish them with a 
copy of all the papers relative to this matter, which he 
has received from the person or persons by whose order 
said Vessel was purchased or built." This incident, 
though trifling in itself, serves to show the constant vig- 
ilance of the people and of the embryo government, at 
that period. Not the slightest incident w^as allowed to 
pass by unnoticed. Sept. 14th, Col. Benedict Ar- 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 95 



nold, on his way from Cambridge to Quebec, encamped 
in Danvers. 

Jan. 25th, 1776, the House received two petitions 
from Nathan Putnam and Dennison Wallis of Danvers. 
Putnam set forth that in consequence of a wound in 
the shoulder at the battle of Lexington, he had not 
been able to work since that time one day at his trade. 
His petition was referred to the appropriate Commit- 
tee. Wallis set forth that he was taken prisoner by 
the Ministerial troops at Lexington, was stripped by 
them of gun, bayonet, cartouch box, watch and fif- 
teen dollars, for which he prayed recompense, as also 
for charges of sickness, in consequence of twelve 
wounds which he received. Eight pounds, eleven shil 
lings were paid Capt, Epes for the purpose. February 
6th, the House voted to Captain Epes, the following 
sums for the use of the following individuals who had 
lost guns &c. on the 19th of April. Jonathan Tarbell 
<£2. lis. Henry Jacobs ^3. 8s. Heirs of Benjamin 
Daland, £2. 4s. Samuel Cook, £2. 12s. Thomas 
Gardner .£1. 4s. Nathaniel Goldthwaite, £2. Os. Feby 
6th and Mch 6th, contributions were taken up for the 
army beseiging Boston. The South Parish gave £13, 
13, 6, and the North Parish £26, 15, 4, 10 pr. Shoes, 
82 yds. check, 2 oz. thread, and 1 pr. of mooseskin 
breeches. 

The people of the to^vn of Danvers, as will be seen, 
thirsted ardently for an independent gevernment, and 
concurred in all public acts calculated to produce that 
result. On the eighteenth of June 1776, it was "Voted, 
that if the Honble Congress for the Safety of the Unit- 

i if 



\ 96 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

ed Colonies, Declare them Independent of the Kinsidom 
of Great Brittain, we the Inhabitants of this town, do 
eolemnly Engage with our Lives and Fortunes to sup- 
port them in the measure. 

"Voted, that the Town Clerk be, and he hereby is 
directed Immediately to Deliver an attested Copy of 
the Proceedings of this Town Respecting Independent- 
ry, to Maj. Samuel Epes, Representative of said Town, 
for his Instructions &c." At the same time a bounty of 
£13, 6, 8, was given to each man who would enlist in 
the service of the colonies. The Declaration of Inde- 
pendence was unanimously adopted, and copied at 
len2;th in the Town Record. 

October 19th 1776, large encouragements were given 
to all who would enlist durins; the war. Consiress 
pledged to each private soldier and non-commissioned 
officer who would thus enlist, twenty dollars, one hun- 
dred acres of land, a suit of clothes annually, consist- 
ing of "two Linen Hunting Shirts, two Pair of Over- 
alls, a Leathern or Woolen Waistcoat with Sleeves, one 
Pair of Bi'eeches, a Hat or Leathern Cap, two Shirts, 
two pair of Hose, and two pair of Shoes." In addition 
to this the State of Massachusetts Bay offered "one 
Blanket annually, and Twenty Shillings per Month" 

The small-pox raged extensively in the year 1777, 
and a pest house was built. The same year the famiUes of 
all non-commissioned officers absent in the service, were 
assisted by the Town. February 9th, 1778, the Arti- 
cles of Confederation were unanimously adopted, and 
Israel Hutchinson the Representative was instructed to 
advocate them. The Constitution of Massachusetts, 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 97 

wMch was proposed in 1778 was unanimouslj rejected. 
Capt. Jeremiah Putnam enlisted a company tMs year 
to go to East Greenwich, R. I. 

April 5th 1779, Israel Putnam, John Sheldon and 
Benjamin Proctor, were appointed Committee to look 
after and supply the families of continental soldiers with 
all necessary articles of subsistence. Voted to have 
no state Constitution this year. July 5th, ^'Resolved 
that this town will do all in their power to reduce all 
the Exhorbitant prices of the necessaries of life." A 
convention was held at Concord July 19th., to take in 
to consideration the extravagant prices, Jtnd propose a 
remedy. It passed several laws with penalties of diso- 
bedience, and the Town endorsed them all. Gideon Put- 
nam was about this time posted in the "Public 
Newspapers of this state for brakeing one of the resolves 
of the Convention at Concord, as an enemy to his coun- 
try." His offence consisted in selling cheese at nine 
shillings per pound! The extraordinary prices of this 
day imposed a very painful burden on the people. A 
great scarcity created a high value, and it was the con- 
stant effort of the patriotic to reduce prices. W. I. 
Rum was valued at £o, 5s, per gallon ; N. E. Rum X4, 
per gall.; Molasses .£3, 19s per galL; Coffee 15s per 
lb.; Brown Sugar, .£50 per cwt.; Chocolate, 20s per 
lb.; Bohea Tea, £5, 6s per lb.: Salt, £9 per bushel; 
Indian Cora, <£4, 10s per bushel; Rye, £6; Wheat, 
£9 ; Beef, 6s per lb.; Mutton, 4s per lb.; Butter, 12s 
per lb.; Milk, 2s 6d per qt.; Hay, 40s per cwt.; Iron, 
£30 per cwt. The unexampled inflation of the paper 
currency of that day explains these high prices, — as 

E2 9 « 



98 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 



one pound in silver was equal to forty of paper. The 
great scarcity of silver however, confined the currency 
principally to paper, and much of inconvenience and 
positive suffering were the consequence. 

May 19th. 1780, is memorable as the Dark 
Day, which prevailed over the most of the State, but 
was darkest in Essex County. Between 10 and 11 
o'clock A. M. the air began to grow dim, and in a few 
minutes the whole country was enveloped in the shades 
of night. An eye witness informs us that "Persons 
were unable to read common print, determine the time 
by their watches, dine or manage their domestic busi- 
ness without additional light ; candles were lighted ; the 
birds having sung their evening songs, disappeared, and 
became silent ; the fowls retired to roost ; the cocks 
were crowing all around as at break of day ; objects 
could be distinguished at but very httle distance ; and ev- 
erything bore the appearance and gloom of night." This 
phenomenon was undoubtedly caused by a dense stratum 
of clouds, which, driven below the ordinary stratum, 
made so dense a curtain that the light could not trans- 
pierce it. 

At this time there were many men from Danvers ar- 
dently and constantly engaged in the army in different 
parts of the country. Major Caleb Lowe, although he 
was not strictly a native of Danvers, was a resident 
of this town, and sustained an active part. In the 
capacity of Captain he was out in the Lidian Wars, 
at Ticonderoga &c. He was promoted to the rank of 
Major on the breakmg out of the Revolution, which 
rank he held under Washington on the Hudson River. 



HISTORY or D AX VERS. 99 

He was present at the execution of Andre. His body 
is buried in South Danvers. The following letter, with 
the original signature of Washington is in the posses- 
sion of Major Lowe's grandson, Col. Caleb Lowe, by 
whom it was furnished : 

^'Sir. 

"You will be pleased to march early tomorrow morn- 
ing with all the militia under your command and pro- 
ceed to the landing at West Point. You will send an 
officer on to this place, by whom you will receive furth- 
er orders. 

"Colonel Gouvior the bearer of this will apply to you 
for an officer and a small party of Men. These you 
will furnish. 

I am sir with esteem 
yr mo ob'et Servt. 

GO. WxiSHINGTOK 

"Head Quarters Robinson's House, 25th Sept. 1780, 
1-2 after 7 o'clock P. M. 

"Major Loav at Fishkill." 

During the same year, ^£150, 000 were raised to sup- 
ply the army with beef, and for other revolutionary pur- 
poses. It should be remembered that this large amount 
was reckoned in the continental currency. The State 
Constitution came before the people for their acceptance 
about the same time, and was objected to by the people 
of Danvers. £1&00 silver money were raised in De- 
cember, to procure soldiers for the army, and <£180 
were offered to every man who would go from Danvers. 
It was voted also, to compel the Quakers to take their 
proportional part in the struggle of war. In the follow- 



100 HISTORY OF DANYEES. 



ingyear X60,000 T\-ere raised to purchase beef for the 
army, and it was voted to obey with cheerfuhiess all the 
requisitions of the Legislature for money and men. 
The harbor froze this year as far as Baker's Island. 
The winter was very severe. The town declared by a 
vote Jan. 14:th 1782, that in any treaty which might 
be made between Great Britain and the United States, 
the fisheries should be reserved for the use of the Uni- 
ted States. On the twentieth of the following month, 
several persons were licensed to sell ''Bohea and other 
India Teas." At this time there were in Danvers, 
18 ''fall back chaises," and 21 "standing tops." Up 
to this time a constant correspondence had been kept 
with Boston, and the utmost vigilance had been manifest- 
ed on the part of the people of this town, in the cause 
of freedom. Feb. 10 th, there was a dense fog "smell- 
ing like burnt leaves." On the 9th of June 1783, 
the following instructions were given 

"To Coll Israel Hutchinson, 
"Representative of the Town of Danvers. Sir : at 
the fii'st attack made by the British Troops on the 
States of America, you took the part of the Ameri- 
icans in the Field. Since that Time you Represented the 
Town of Danvers to their satisfaction, which is evident 
by the almost Unanimous Vote at the Times of your 
Elections. 1 he Contest is over, and a complete Revo- 
lution is happily Accomplished. This Town, Sir, con- 
gratulates you on so glorious a Period. Sir, — as it is 
Likely many Matters will be before the Honorable 
House the present year, — This Town has thought fit to 
give you Instructions in some Particular, viz : As the 



] HISTORY OF DANVEPtS. 101 [ 

Independence depends solely, (under Divine Provi- 
dence,) in the Union of these United States, you are 
to consider the Confederacy of these States as Sacred, 
and in no point to be violated. You are strictly to ad- 
here to the Constitution of this Commomyealth ; — You 
are to us^ your endeavour that no Absentee or Conspi- 
rator against the United States, whether they have ta- 
ken up arms against these States or not, be admitted to 
Return, and those persons that have returned, you are 
not to suffer such persons to remain in this Common- 
•wealth. You are to give your attention, to all such 
further Instructions as you shall receive from your Con- 
stituents, from Time to Time. In any matters that 
shall turn up which you think militate against your 
Constituents, you are to apply for further Instruc- 
tions." 

A few other events that occurred previous to this 
time, are worthy of preservation. In April 1771 ter 
rible Ughtning killed a large number of horses and cat-' 
tie in Dan vers. In 1772, snow fell at an uncommon 
rate. McL 5th, 16 inches ; 9th, 9 inches ; 11th, 
8 inches ; 13th, 7 inches ; 16th, 4 inches ; 20tli, 15 
inches. The winter of 1780 was very severe. For 
forty days, thirty ^one of which were in March there 
was no thaw on the South side of any house. Teams 
loaded passed over walls in every direction through the 
month of March. The Hessian Fly committed great 
ravages in 1787. 

The approach of Peace allayed most of the evils that 
had gathered over the country during the long, dark, 
revolutionary struggle. The axe of Labor was lifted ; 



102 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 

the sliining scythe once more flashed with clew ; the 
ring of the anvil sounded from the work-shop ; the hum 
of Industry was heard arising from city and hamlet ; 
valleys and hillsides smiled with verdure ; school-houses 
were filled with youthful tenantry, and as the red foot- 
steps of War were wiped away, "the smoke of peace'' 
curled around steeple and tree-top, and the wheels of 
Prosperity with an accelerated motion, moved the Coun- 
try onward. 

NOTES TO CHAPTER IV. 

(a) The conclnct ol tlie royal troops is represented as having 
been very excmplai-y. Mrs, Fowler, related tho following little inci- 
dent, which certainly speaks much against the received opinion of the 
character of the English soldiery. Mrs. Fowler, a daughter of Arch- 
elaus Putnam who commenced the settlement at the New Mills, was 
in the beginning of September 1774, in an orchard gathering apples, 
when, on looking up, she saw two English officers, one of whom com- 
menced climbing over the fence. The other, seeing that their pres- 
ence alarmed her, said to him: — "Wait till the girl goes away; do 
not frighten her by entering the orchard yet." 

She also related that Gov. Gage used quite often to converse with 
her father" in law, and that he was very affable and courteous in his 
deportment. She remembered hearing hnn say on one occasion, gs he 
sat en a log before the door: "We shall soon quell these feelings, and 
govern all this," — stretching out his arm, as if to describe the coun- 
try. She said also, that the soldiers were accustomed in iheir ram- 
bles about the town, to call at different houses for bread and milk, 
and that their appearance was always decorous and proper, adding: 
"The Governor was as pretty a man in the house as I ever saw." 
Sometimes however, the soldiers used to relieve the farmers of the 
trouble of milking their cows — though they unfortunately for the 
owners, appropriated the milk to their own use. 

(b) While the drums were beating to arms, Aaron Cheever rode 
on horseback furiously through the camp, shouting at the lop of his 
voice, "Hurry to Boston! the devil is to pay!" Others refer similar 

ji - — — M 



HISTORY OF DANYERS. 



103 



language to different individuals. Whoever the person was, he was 
well disguised. 



o 

1— I 

fei 

o 

o 

o 
d 








(c) "Near the encampment was a large oak tree, afterwards 
known as King George's whipping post. When the frigate Essex was 
built in Salem, this tree was felled; and on hewing the timber the iron 
staple, to which the soldiers had been confined for punishment, was 
found imbedded m the wood. King George's whipping post was con- 
verted into the stern post of the Essex frigate." 

"The house which Gen. Gage occupied was much ornamented and 



104 



niSTOIlY OF DAXVERS. 



is still a stately edifice for this part of the country. In its from were 
heavy posts ornamented with large balls ot spheres, which were 
sheathed with lead. As a party of our countrymen were goiug to 
join the patriot army, the templing sight of the lead made them for- 
get private rights and they began to strip the spheres. The owner of 
the mansion was supposed to be in the Briiish interest — he came to 
the door, called them rebels and knaves, and, as was natural, used 
strong and plain language. One man pointed his musket towards 
him and firedj and the mark of the bullet still remains in the door 
by which he was standing." Hon. Mr. King. 

Although this anecdote is quite plausible, and interesting withal, 
yet it may be apocryphal. The proprietor of the edifice informs uie, 
that although this explains the advent of the bullet, yet there are no 
means by which its authenticity can be ascertained, 

(d) There are several spots located by Tradition for these arms. 
North fields, Blind Hole, the Gardner farm, and Kew Mills have been 
designated by different persons. Probably they were scattered in 
each of these places for safety. 

"Richard Skidmore, the builder of the carriages, was a man of 
much humor and many anecdotes, and witty sayings are related of 
him. He was, fifty years ago, the jester at launchings, huskings, 
raisings and other merry meetings. He vv-as at the siege of Louis- 
burg in the capacity of drummer, and received a shot, which 
passed through the corner of his cocked hat, raising the hair upon the 
top of bis head. His commander, upon viewing his narrow escape, 
remarked that if the ball had siruck a little lower down, it would 
have spoilt our con.pany's music. Skidmore replied, tut, and if 
it ha 1 passed a little higher up, it would not liave spoiled my hat! 
He served in the war of the Revolution, as a private, drunimer, and 
on board of private armed vessels. On one of his cruises, a West 
Indiaman, laden with rum and sugar, was taken, and SUidmcre re- 
ceived for his portion of the prize, a hogshead of rum, and a barre' 
of sugar, which he brought home, and placed in the entry of his 
house, the rum was placed upon tap, and the sugar was opened, and 
pat by its side. His house being sniall, and its entrance narrow, it 
became necessary m roliing in the rum, to cut away the sides of the 
door. People, who k>ved old Jamaica, often came to partake of his 
bospitalhy. Many years after, alluding to the respect shown him at 
this period, he observed that as long as the rum and tugar lasted, it 



m. 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 105 



wag ah, "how do you do, IMr. Skidmore, how is your furiiily ?" but 
after it was all gone, it was, "how are you, old Skid," cs usual. 

Mr. Skidmore served his couniry in her wars, both by sea and land, 
and in the war with England in 1815 he attached himtielf to the com- 
pany of the old alarm-list soldiers and was seen at its head beating 
the reveille on the same drum that had called together the sturdy sons 
of Netv England before the enlrenchments of Louisburg. 

This drum he was often heard to say he kept m his garret, and he 
was accustomed to bring it down to beat it when his children were 
very noisy, his wife scolded more than usual, or be was troubled 
with rats in his cellar." Com. by S. P. Fowler. 

(e) When Pickering's regiment halted at the Bell Tavern for re- 
freshment, Eiias Haskett Derby Esq., who afterward became one of 
the wealthiest men in Salem, and who then was in the ranks, went 
in to see Mrs, Southwick, the wife of Edward, who then, as well ns 
since, lived in the homestead opposite the Monument. Although as 
a quakeress, Mrs. S. could not consistently afford assistance to soldiers, 
yet, so deeply did she gyinpathize with the patriots, independent of 
her quakerism, that she brought out a large basket of provisions, to 
Mr. Derby with the following message: " We cannot assist thee and 
thy fellow-soldiers, tut as there is a long and painful march before 
thee, and as it is not right ye should suffer, — here is a little food .'" 

(f) The muster rolls present no proof thr^t Gen. Foster was Cap- 
tain at Lexington. They show but four companies, — but he was 
present, and acted in that capacity. 1 he explanation of the matter 
lies in this: Mch 3d, 1775, according to the Essex Gazette, it was 
voted in Danvers, that, agreeable to a vote of the Provincial Congress, 
a quarter of the soldiers in the town should be minute men. 'I'hese 
minute men were given, in part to Israel Hutchinson, and in part to 
Gideon Foster. Foster's men are included in other companies; why 
^hey are not down in a seperale list, under their commander cannot be 
losd. 

(g.) "The greatest slaughter of the British took place, it is said, 
while they were on the retrograde, sweating with toil and blood, for 
three or four miles through the woody defiles in Lincoln and in the up- 
per part of Lexington, and again when their flanking parties were 
intercepted in Cambridge by one or two companies from Danvers." 

Extract from a Com. erttitled ''.^Lexington and the 19th April 

1775" — republished in Che Boston JVtns Letter. 



106 HISTORY OF DAIS'YERS. 

(h.) Had Col. Pickering been actuated by the same ardor that 
distinguished Gideon Foster, it is not probable that many would have 
remained of the British to have related the day's disaster. The re- 
treat vvhinh was in a measure safely conducted would have been ef- 
fectually intercepted, and Death would have exulted over the number 
of h'8 trophies. 

(i) Many years after this sanguinary da>, Gen. Foster recalled 
the event thus: 

"I was then 26 years d" age. About ten days before, 1 had been 
chosen to command a company of minute-men, who were at all times 
to be in readiness at a moment's warning. They were so ready. 
Tl>ey all assembled on the very spot where we are this day assem- 
bled: — they all went; and in about four hours from the time of 
meeting, they travelled on foot (full half the way upon the run) six- 
teen miles t and saluted the enemy. This tbey^ did most eflectually, — 
as the records of that day most clearly prove. I discharged my 
musket at the enemy a number of times (I think eleven,) with two 
balls each time, and with well directed aim. My comrade (Mr. 
Cleaves of Beverly) who was then standing by my side, had his fin- 
ger and ramrod cut away by a shot fron) the enemy. 

Whether my shots took effect, * I carnot say; but this I can say, 
if they did not, it was not for the want of determined purpose, in him 
who sent them." 

* These remarks were made at the laying of the corner stone of the 
Danvers Monumeut. 

(j.) In the 2d company of Soldiers at Lexington, Gideon Foster 
is placed as 2d Lieut, in the muster rolls. He was appointed cap- 
tain of a company of minute men but a few days before the battle, 
and John Endicott was elected Lieut, in his place. Before the battle 
Jeremiah Page's company elected Enoch Putnam 1st Lieut., William 
Towne, 2d do.; and Joseph Porter ensign. At the battle, however, 
the officers were as they stand on page 108. Flint's company, after 
the engagement, received Asa Prince as ensign, in place ef Israel 
Putnam. The town generously supported Geo. Southwick's family 
after his death. It is said that the Danvers con)panieB all followed the 
worthy example of Foster, and went to Lexnigton without waiting for 
Pickering's Regiment. The company to which Sylvester Osborne 
belonged (he was the youngest member,) captured a wagon 
near Medford, which was carrying supplies to the British. He, with 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 107 

others, was detached to escort the prize to 9 place of safety, and they 
heard the report of the firearms, immediately after leaviog the maia 
body. 

When Foster's men threw themselves behind tha enclosure 
from which they fired, Hutchinson, whose experience in the French 
wars gave him knowledge, warned them to beware of the flank 
guard. In their unacquaintance with military affairs, they knew noth- 
ing of a flank-gaard, and firing on the main body as it passed, they 
rushed out to harass its rear, when, of course, they found themselves 
between two fires, where several fell. Job Wilson, on examining his 
pocket after the engagement, found his coat and a square foot of gin- 
gerbread perforated by a bullet. 

(k.) "With reversed arms, mufiled drums and measured steps, 
they led the long procession — on tha way they were met by a band of 
soldiers from Newburyport, Salisbury and Amesbury marching to 
join the army which was besieging Boston — these formed in sin- 
gle ranks on each side of the road and the mournful procession passed 
between them. After the bodies were deposited, three vollies were 
fired over their graves, but they could 'not rouse the slumberers — no 
din of resounding arms, no alarms of war, no convulsion of nature, 
can disturb them — nothing but the voice of the arch angel and the 
trump of God 

"Can reach the peaceful sleepers there." 

Hon. D. P. King. 

SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION. 

(l.) The following I'st presents the soldiers of the Revolution 
from Danver?. The first five companies were in the affair at Lexing- 
ton. Those alphabetically arranged were in the Revolution subse- 
quently. 

COMPANY OF MINUTE-MEN. 

Israel Hutchinson, Cafiam; Enoch Vutncim, Jirst Lieut; Aaron 
Cheever, second Lieut; Job Whipple, Ensign. 

Privates. Samuel Goodridge, Eliphalet Perley, Nath'l Cheever, 
Eben Andrew, James Burley, Samuel Chase, Nath'l Durton, Henry 
Dwinnels, John Francis, Wm. Freetoe, Nathan Putnam, James Por- 
ter, Tarrant Putnam, Thomas White, Samuel Baker, Samuel Fair- 
field, Benj. Porter 31., Jonathan Sawyer, Wm. Towne, W. Warner, 



108 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 

Perley Putnam, Benj. Shaw, Wm. Batchekler, Jothnm Webb. Be- 
sides these, 24 men from Beverly completed this company. 

COMPANY OF MILITIA. 

Samuel Eppes, Captain; Benj. Jacobs, //-^f Lieut. Gideon Foster, 
(sQQ uoiQ.) second Lieut. Francis Symonds, Ensig?t. / 

Privat^■s. Goo. Southwick jr. , Sam. Cookjr.jEben Goldlhwaite, 
James Osborn, Jona. Tarball, Benj. Douty, Aaron Osborn, John Ep- 
pes, Andrew Curtis, Isaac Twiss, Wm. Taiball, Abraham Redding- 
ton, Israel Osborn, Nathan Upton, Robt. Stone jr., Abiel Mclntyre, 
Richard Phillips, Joseph Whiteman, John Wilson jr., SanDuel Small, 
Benj. Eppes, Joseph Eppes, James Eppes, Wm. Southwick, John 
Southwick, Jon. Curtis, Job Wilson, Robt. Wilson 3d., Isaac Wil- 
son 3d., Joshua Moulton, Nath. Goldthwaite, Daniel Moulton, John 
Reed, Daniel Marsh jr.T Wm. Goldthwaite, Marble Osborn, Joseph 
Osborn 3d., John Jacobs, Thos. Gardner jr., Sylvester Osborn, Amos 
King, Jonathan Nurse, JonUhan Felton, Jonathan Proctor, Tim. Fel- 
ton, Asa Felton, Eben Felton, 'j'^hos. Andrews, Joseph Osborn 4th , 
Daniel Reed, Jona. Southwick, Thomas Day, James Goldthwaite, 
Joseph Ingles, David Newhall, Nathl. Fitts, Wm. Frost, Nevvhall 
Wilson, Jonathan Wilson 3d., Bartholomew Molton, Habbakuk 
Lynse, Eben Molton, Jona. Ridney, John Collins, Jacob Reed, Abi- 
jah Reed, Thos. Bond, John Getchell, Solomon Wyman, Samuel 
Stone, James Stone, Joseph Twiss, Stephen Twiss, Wm. Perkins, 
Benj. Daland jr., Henry Jacobs jr. 

COMPANY OF MILITIA. 

Jeremiah Page, Captain; Joseph ForteTfJirst Lieut. Henry Putnam, 
second Lieut. Richard Skidmore, Ensign. 

Privates. Samuel Stickney, James Putnam, Benj. Putnam jr., 
Daniel Bootraan, David Bootman, John Nichols jr., John Brown, Je- 
thro Putnam, Jeremiah Putnam, Wm. Fenno, John Ward, Michael 
Webb, Benj. Kimball, Benj. Kent, Stephen Putnam, Joseph Smith, 
Elisha Hutchinson, Benj. Stiekney, Mathcw Whipple, Enoch Thurs- 
ton, Phillip Nurse, Robt. Endicotl, David Felton, Daniel Verry, David 
Verry, Archelaus Rea jr., James Goody, Nathan Porter, Sam. Whit- 
temore, Nathan Putnam, Peter Putnam, Samuel Fowler, Samuel 
Dutch, Eben Jacobs jr., Samuel Page. 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 



109 



COMPANY OF MILITIA. 

Samuel Flint, Captain. Daniel VxaXn^^m. first Lieut. Joseph Put- 
nam, seronrf Lieut. Israel Putnam, Ensign. 

Privates. Asa Upton, Abel Nichols, Thomas Andrew, Amos 
Tapley, Wm. Putnam, Joseph Daniels, Joshua Dodge, Jonathan 
Sheldon, Wm. Goodale, Benj. Russell, Mathew Putnam, John 
Hutchinson jr., Aaron Tapley, Levi Preston, Peter Putnam, John 
Preston, Daniel LaUeman, Israel Cheever, Eleazer Pope jr., Aaron 
Gilbert, Nathaniel Smith, Jonathan Russell, Daniel Russell, Jethro 
Russell, John Hutchinson, Stephen Russell. Geo. Small jr., Nathaniel 
Pope jr., Joseph Tapley, S. Mudge, Wm. Whittredge, Josiah Whit- 
tredge, Eben iVlcIntyre, John Ketlel, Benj. Nurse, Eleazer Goodale, 
Amos Buxton jr., Reuben Barthirk, James Burch, Michael Cross, 
Israel Smith. 

It is possible that some of the members of Flint's, Page's and 
Eppes's companies, may have belonged to Salem or Beverly, though 
who they were if any there were, cannot be ascertained. 

Those engaged in the Revolution. 



Ebenezer Andrew 
Zachariah Dray 
James Buxton 
William Berry 
Thomas Bond 
Joseph Bell 
Gideon Batchelder 
Benj. Balch 
Prince Buxton 
Peter Barker 
Benj. Barker 
Benj. Beary 
Daniel Bell 
James Birch 
Peter Buxton 
Jonathan Ciowell 
John Collyer 
Ezekiel Cooper 
Asa Chandler 
Richard Crispin 
John Colli!is 
William Col ley 
Enoch Chenay 
John Clinton 
Josiah Cutter 
Patrick Carroll 



Titus Canada 
Jona. Currier 
Nathan Dow 
Charles Derby 
Henry Dwiimells 
George Dwinnells 
Amos Dwinnells 
Ebenezer D-ile 
Abraham Dernpsey 
William Dc'dge 
Nathaniel Downs 
Wm. Deadman 
John E. Dale 
Wm. Darnsey 
Samuel Dear.e 
Richard Elliot 
John Eppes 
David El well 
Samuel Eppes 
J( hn Endlcott 
Wm. Fretoe 
John Francis 
Benj. Fowls 
John Fairfield 
Wm. Flint 
Samuel Flint 
10 



James Gandy 
Asa Goodale 
Tristuai (itorge 
Samuel Goodhue 
Andrew Giey 
Wm. Gilford 
Wm. Hot 
Joseph Hilhurt 
Nathan Hill)urt 
Israel Hutchiiison 
Jonathan Howard 
Uriah Harrcwood 
John Hanovvood 
Nath'l Haywood 
J liiies Joimson 
John Josselyn 
PriiJius Jacobs 
Benj. Jacobs 
Benj. Kimball 
Longley Ke.lley 
Josiah Kenney 
Elijah Lewis 
Jona. Larrabee 
Jamf-s Larr.ibee 
David Larrabee 
Samuel Le Count 



M 



no 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 



Benj. Loring 
Nath'l Leeds 
Beiij. Larrabee 
Daniel Ma hew 
Hugh Malachy 
Samuel Matnsell 
Nath'l M 'Inly re 
Kichard Mayberry 
John xM'Kay Jr. 
Roger Nourse 
Michael Nurse 
James Nurse 
Joseph Nichols 
Eli Nurse 
Samuel Nurse 
Caleb Oakes 
John Oakman 
Sylvester Osborne 
Johnson Proctor 
Titus Procior 
Aaron Putnam 
Edward Pepperell 
Benj. Porter 
John Porter 
Israel Putnam 
Timothy Putnam 
Joseph Pillsbnry 
Jonathan Porter 
Joseph Putnam 
Daniel Putnam 
Thomas Putnam 
Wm. Perkins 
Jeremiah Putnam 
Henry Putnam 
Eiiphalet Periey 
Nathan Porter 
James Porter 
Peter P(irter 
Phinehas Putnam 
Nathan Putnam 



Edward Pepor 
Allen Putnam 
Asa Prince 
Jeremiah Page 
Enoch Putnam 
Joseph 1 orter 
Sunuel Page 
Wm. Rue 
Jonathan Russel 
Stephen Russel 
Benj. Reed 
Caleb Rea 
Jacob Reed 
Abijah Reed 
Wm. Reed 
Seth Richardson 
James Richardson 
Thomas Rano 
Samuel Stone 
Jeremiah Shelden 
Daniel Sheldeu 
Robert Stone 
Benj. Shaw 
John Symonds 
Sip Ss'monds 
James Stone 
Jonath;in Setchel 
Joim Se;chel 
Joseph Shaw 
Thomas Symonds 
Th imas Stephens 
Amos Smith 
Ephraim Snjith 
Ebeuezer Sawyer 
Lsrael Smith 
Francis Symonds 
Wm, Towne 
David Truel 
George Tu'ker 
David Tanner 



Thomas Tolman 
Daniel Tovi'ne 
Asa Tapley 
Joseph Tulis 
Samuel Twist 
Eliphalei 'J'aylor 
Joseph Twiss 
George Towns 
Daniel Verry 
David Verry 
Joseph Verry 
Wm. Verry 
Bela Verry 
Benj. Verry 
Peter Waito 
Joseph White 
Joseph W^yatt 
Thomas White 
Matthew Whipple 
Samuel Whipple 
Ebenezci" Williams 
Jonathan Waite 
Moses Wood 
Michael Webb 
Elijah Washburn 
Jonathan Wood 
Thomas Whines 
David Whipple 
Benj. Whipple 
Thos White 
Benj. Woodman " 
Solomon Wyujan 
New hall WilsoQ 
Peter Welch 
David Wilkins 
Samuel Wyatt 
John White 
Jonathan Wilson 
Joshua Wyatt 



Of these soldiers Levi Preston, Johnson Proctor, Jonathan Porter 
and Richard Elliot are yet living at advanced ages. Mr. Proctor in his 
prime stood six feet and a half in height, and now weighs about 300 
lbs. These relics of another age are links in a living chain conneci- 
int» us with the Past. There are five rneu from Danvers en- 
gaged in theMexican War. 

(M.) The ship which Dummer Jewett was directed to enquire of 



I—— — —- m 

HISTORY OF DANVERS. Ill 

was a large one of about 400 tons, designed for the East India trade. 
One Capt. Lee came from England to superintend her building, and 
to command her when finished. He died at the Plains. The vessel 
was launched in the night, and it drifted to the south side of the river, 
where it laid many years, and ultimately decayed. There have been 
at different times a large number of vessels built at New Mills. As 
many as seven have been on the stocks at one time. During the 
Revolution, the Jupiter, Harlequin, Gen. Greene, and many other 
privateers and vessels of war, besides merchant vessels, were bnilt 
here. Four 20 gun ships were built in the revolution. The anchors 
for ihe celebrated frigate Essex were made at the Iron Works now 
owned by Matthew Hooper. 



CHAPTER y. 

The incidents wortliy of note which have occiired 
since the close of the Revolution, have been few. The 
history of a town or country in the Time of Peace, al- 
though full of all that causes prosperity and happiness, 
does not abound in prominent events. When the 
storm of War sweeps over the land, every wave is 
gigantic, while the calm tide of prosperity, though 
freighted with abundance, does not attract particular 
observation. 

Efforts were made in the year 1784, to remove the 
Court of Common Pleas from Salem to Newburyport, 
against which the Town took an active part. In 1786 
the Representative was instructed to use his utmost 
exertions against paper money. He was also informed 
that a "man in Danvers was taxed much more for £100 
value of property than if he was in Salem;" the people 
declared this unjust, and urged him to abohsh the dif- 
ference. 

Col. Benj. Tupper raised a company the same year 



112 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

in Beverly and Danvers, to suppress "Shay's Rebel- 
lion." 

According to some records, food was so scarce in 
Essex County in 1789, that people were obliged to eat 
tadpoles boiled with pea straw. This, to say the least, 
is very questionable.. 

In the year 1799, John Adams's administration re- 
ceived the approbation of the town, and the following 
address was sent him : 

"To John Adams, President of the United States. 

"The subscribers Inhabitants of the town of Danvers 
in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 

"Being fully sensible of the great advantages we De- 
rive From a government Established by the People up- 
on the true Principles of Equal Liberty, so far as the 
good of Society will admit — and our entire sattisfact- 
ioii in the administration of the same, we had Just Rea- 
son to expect that no forrelgn power would interfsre in 
our national affairs, while we endeavored to support a 
Just and strict ISTutrality, by treating all the nations that 
we are Concerned with agreeable to those principles, 
Especially the French Republic, who we have ben Led 
to believe, and untill of Late Did really suppose, were 
our best Friends ; but we Now sensibly feel the injury 
done to our Country by that Nation, in the treatment 
of our people, & in the spoillations made upon our Com- 
merce, and the Insults received by the unpresidented 
treatment to our ministers at that republic, which Calls 
For our highest Resentment. 

"Please to be assured that your administration meets 
our Fullest approbation, and that we Consider it as a 

8§ « =M 



il 

I HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 113 

Favour of Providence that you are placed at the head 
of our public affairs at this important Day. Although 
we wish for the Continuance of Peace Upon Just and 
honourable termes, yet we will hold ourselves ready to 
encounter every Difficulty that our Country may call 
us to, — before we will be dictated to *by any Nation 
on earth, or give up our soveraignty and independence, 
well knowing that it was not Ayithout much Blood and 
treasure — our ancestors put us in possession of the high- 
est Privelidges we injoy as a people." 

May 8th 1803, a severe snow storm occurred, while 
the trees were in full blossom. June IGth, 1806, was 
a total solar eclipse. In 1807, several of the people 
of Danvers were prosecuted by the town of Lynn for 
taking sea-weed &c., from the latter place, for manure. 

In 1808 an unsuccessful movement was made to an- 
nex the North Parish to Salem. Before and since that 
time, similar attempts have been made, sometimes origi- 
nating in one part of the town, and sometimes in anoth- 
er. In the year 1810 the town remonstrated against 
removing the Supreme Court to Newburyport. Febru- 
ary 2d 1811, a great snow-storm commenced and lasted 
three days ; it drifted fifteen feet. 

In 1812, the war known as the ''Last War,'^ broke 
out. A large majority of the people of New England 
opposed this War. Among those opposers the people of 
Danvers took a prominent stand. On the 13th. of Ju- 
ly, a committee was chosen to report on the "awful sit- 
uation of our Country in consequence of the war de- 
clared against Great Britain." Frederick Howes, Jon- 
athan Ingersoll, Andrew Nichols Jr., Sylvester Osborn 

i r m 



114 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

and Thomas Putnam were chosen, and they presented 
the following Report, which was adopted by the Town 
with but three dissenting voices, and published in the 
Salem Gazette. 

''Whereas the safety, prosperity, and happiness of a 
people essentially depend on the Wisdom, Virtue, and Pa- 
triotism of those who manage their National affairs; and in 
a free elective Government these qualifications form the 
only just claims to Publick Confidence and employment, 
it is therefore at all times no less the duty, than the right 
of the citizens, to investigate the character and conduct 
of their rulers, to subject the policy of their measures to 
public scrutiny, and especially, in times of great Danger 
and distress, to assemble and consult together for the 
common good, and should they be convinced that the 
evils which they feel, originate from the weakness or 
corruption of their own rulers, they would be guilty of 
treachery to their country, if they did not publicly de- 
clare their opinion, and make use of all constitutional 
means to effect a change of rulers, to avert the dangers 
which threaten them, and to remove or alleviate the ca- 
lamities which they endure ; and Whereas the United 
States, after thirt;y years enjoyment of the blessings of 
peace are suddenly involved in a War with Great Brit- 
ain, and have become a party in a contest unparallelled 
in its nature and extent, which has proved fatal to the 
liberty and independence of so many once happy and 
powerful nations, the people are loudly called upon to 
assemble at this alarming crisis, and to express their 
opinion freely, on the conduct of their Government, on 
the justice and expediency, the causes and probable 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 115 

consequences of the war, therefore Eesolved : that as the 
inhabitants of this Town were among the first to expose 
their lives and shed their blood in defence of the rights 
of the country, against the unjust and tyrannical claims 
of Great Britain, and on the memorable Nineteenth of 
Aprils A. D. 1775, suffered more severely (Lexington 
excepted,) than any other town in the Commonwealth, 
and animated by their example, and by the presence of 
many who took an active part in that and many other 
scenes in our late glorious revolution, we will never shrink 
from the dangers and privations of a just and necessary 
war — that we cherish our rights and liberties as the most 
precious inheritance derived from our ancestors, and will 
never surrender them to any foreign or domestic tyrant. 

"Resolved, that the conduct of the government of 
the United States for several years past, has in our opin- 
ion exhibited decisive evidence of a strong partiality to 
France, and enmity to Great Britain, a disposition to 
palliate or conceal the aggressions of the one, and to 
exaggerate those of the other: that we consider the 
whole train of commercial restrictions adopted by our 
Government, as originating in a spirit of subserviency 
to France, and hostility to Commerce, and the prosperi- 
ty of the Commercial States, or at best as visionary 
experiments and impotent attempts to coerce foreign 
Nations; unjust, oppressive, and ruinous in their ope- 
ration upon our own citizens, corrupting to the public 
morals, and more destructive to the prosperity of the 
Nation than all the aggressions of foreign powers 
united. 

"Eesolved, that we consider the war declared by 



116 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 

Congress against Great Britain as unjustifiable, unnec- 
essary, ruinous to the prosperity, and dangerous to 
the union, liberty and independence of the United 
States. 

"As unjustifiable and unnecessary, because we be- 
lieve that all our differences with G. Britain might 
have been honorably adjusted by fair negotiation. 

"As ruinous to our prosperity, because it will throw 
millions of American property into the hands of the 
enemy, reduce thousands of our fellow citizens from 
affluence to poverty, require enormous and oppressive 
taxes for its support, while it diminishes the meuns of 
paying them, depress the spirit of honest industry and 
laudable enterprise, expose our sea-coast to depreda- 
tions, and exchange an honorable and lucrative com- 
merce, for a demoralizing system of privateering. 

"As dangerous to our Union, because as free com- 
munities can be held together only by a visible and 
sohd interest, the commercial states may not retain so 
strong an attachment to a government which subjects 
them to such heavy burdens, and the most oppressive 
restrictions, and deprives them of all those advantages, 
the prospect of which, induced them to enter into the 
federal compact. 

"As dangerous to our Liberty and Independence, 
•because we believe that the Influence of France was 
one cause of the War, and we deprecate an alliance 
with that perfidious nation, which by violence or intrigue 
has destroyed every republic in Europe, and whose 
fiiendship is far more terrible than her arms. 

"Resolved, that we cannot believe this to be a war 



K 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 117 

intended for the protection of our seamen, which will 
throw thousands of them out of employment, expose 
those abroad to capture and imprisonment, and many of 
those at home to poverty and ruin ; nor as a war inten- 
ded for the defence of our navigation and commerce, 
which will sweep our ships from the ocean, and destroy 
the remnant of that commerce which has escaped the 
depredations of foreign powers, and the restrictions of 
our own government; we view this measure as a wan- 
ton sacrafice of those blessings with which Heaven has 
distinguished us beyond any other nation. 

"Resolved, that we consider the conduct of Congress 
in refusing the right of public debate on a measure of 
such importance as a w^ar with Great Britain, and a late 
decision of the House of Representatives, by which the 
freedom of speech in that body is reduced to an empty 
name, as furnishing just cause for alarm, and as a direct 
attack upon principles essential to the preservation of 
American liberty. 

"Resolved, that the refusal of the senate of this com- 
monwealth, (a large majority of whose members were 
elected by a minority of the people,) to concur in any 
one of the various modes proposed by the House of Rep- 
resentatives for the choice of Electors of President and 
Vice President, manifests an intention to deprive this 
large and powerful Commonwealth of a voice in this 
most important election, and, if persisted in, must sooner 
or later draw down upon them the righteous indignation 
of an injured people. 

"Resolved, That we highly approve the late official 
conduct of our Commander in Chief, and whenever the 






118 HISTORY OF DANVEES. 

cause of our Country demands the services of its citi- 
zen-soldiers, his orders we shall cheerfully obey. 

"Resolved, That we will use our exertions to carry in- 
to effect the measures recommended in the late excellent 
Address of the House of Representatives, to their Con- 
stituents, that we will cordially co-operate with our fel- 
low citizens in this county, or any part of the Common- 
wealth, in all constitutional means, to obtain a speedy 
and honorable peace, and for that purpose to elect into 
office the friends of peace^ being fully convinced that a 
change of Mnlej^s is necessary to the Salvation op 
THE Country." Four delegates were chosen to attend 
a County Convention to consult upon the proper meas- 
ures for securing peace. Active efforts were made con- 
tinually by our citizens, until the return of Peace. 
Several companies were raised to resist any invasion, 
and the utmost watchfulness prevailed, (a.) 

June 12th, 1815, the town remonstrated against a 
proposition to annex a portion of Dan vers to Salem. 
The amendments of the Constitution of the State, pro- 
posed in 1820, were received by Danvers ; the vote 
standing 68 — 3. 

In 1822 a memorial was drawn up and presented to 
Congress against a general Bankrupt law. Oct. 23d, 
1823, the Bark, Chocolate and Grist-mills belonging to 
Gen. Foster were consumed by fire. For several days 
in April 1825, the moon and stars were visible at noon. 
March Tth, 1836, the Town voted unanimously as fol- 
lows : To sustain a Rail-road that should go directly in- 
to Boston, avoiding the inconvenience of any ferry, but 
to give a preference to Winnissimet above East Bos- 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 119 

ton ferry. Dec. 19bh. 1836 voted, that all dogs shall 
wear a collar, and pay a tax of two dollars, and that a 
bounty of fifty cents be given for each dog slain without 
a collar. 

On September 22d. 1843, a very destructive fire 
broke out in the South Parish, which consumed the 
Second Congregational Church, the Essex Coffee 
House, and twelve other stores and houses, and a large 
number of sheds and out-buildings, belonging to or oc- 
cupied by John Dodge, Ebea. Eustis, Mrs. Very, A. 
Lunt, E. Woodbury^ F. Dane, Jos. Morrison, Jonathan 
Dustin, Southwick & Ferrin, Samuel Southwick, Enoch 
Poor, B. Goodridge, C. Lambert & Co., H. Morse, C. 
Lowe, and the Misses Foster. The Unitarian Church 
and several other buildings caught repeatedly, but 
through the untiring exertions of the citizens of Dan- 
vers and the neighboring towns, the flames were stay- 
ed, after destroying property to the amount of $75- 
000, of which $25,000 were insured. The appear- 
ance of this part of the village was by this disaster 
nearly ruined. It has recovered the shock, however, 
and presents its former thriving appearance. The small 
pox prevailed considerably in the year 1844, and caus- 
ed much alarm. There were thirty cases in the Town, 
only four of which proved fatal. 

A Post Office was established in South Danvers in 
February, 1832, in North Danvers in 1836, and in 
New Mills in January 1845. June 10th, the beauti- 
ful village at the Plains was nearly ruined by a 
destructive fire. Twelve houses, shops, &c, with many 
out-buildings, valued at $80,000, were consumed, and 



120 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

the choicest portion of the village reduced to ashes. 
About $30,000 were insured. The property was own- 
ed or occupied principally by Messrs. Amos Brown, 
Alexander Coffin, Hayman & Rhodes, W. L. "Weston, 
E. F. Smith, Francis Noyes, Joshua Sylvester, Elias 
Putnam, Thos. Bowen, D.'P. Clough, Henry T. Ropes, 
Village Bank, Post Office, Samuel Preston, D. S. Wil- 
kins, D. J. Preston, and Messrs. Howe & Dodge. 
Seventeen engines , and the labors of hundreds of zeal- 
ous, active men, could only in some measure check the 
flames which at one moment seemed to threaten the en- 
tire village. It has now in a great measure recovered 
from this adverse blow, and is hastening towards its 
former beauty. 

The month of November, 1847, was unprecedented 
in the memory of the " oldest inhabitant." The weath- 
er had all the bland genial Avarmth of the Indian Sum- 
mer ; many forest trees budded as in Spring, and gar- 
dens put forth the vegetables whose seeds Avere scatter- 
ed in the time of harvest. Windows were kept open, 
and children played freely in the open air. This Aveath- 
er continued until Dec. 16th. Until that time insects 
filled the air, musquitoes Avere common, caterpillars ap- 
peared, grass sprouted as in Spring, geese took a north- 
erly flight, dandelions Avere obtained for greens, and oth- 
er unseasonable events designated the Avinter as one of 
the most remarkable ever known in Ncav England. 

Dec. 16th, 18-17, the tOAvnheld a meeting, and after 
discussing the subject of the War Avith Mexico, passed 
the following resolutions, drafted by J. W. Proctor, Esq. 

" Resolved y As our opinion, that the war noAv pend- 



HISTOKY OF DANVERS. 121 



ing between the United States of America and the 
United States of Mexico, was wrong in its origin^ — has 
been wrong in its progress^ — and will be altogether 
wrong in its continuance^ — and that no acquisition of 
glory to our country by our valiant and victorious ar- 
mies, will counterbalance in any measure a vjarfare so 
unjust and unnatural. 

" Resolved, That we view with fearful apprehension 
the disposition to acquire additional territory by con- 
quest^ for any purpose whatever, however it may be in 
conformity with the usages of Nations ; — and unless 
this disposition in our Government shall be seasonably 
restrained, we fear it will be ominous of a dissolution 
of the Union. 

" Resolved, While we acknowledge " all men to be 
born free and equal," we cannot consistently with this 
principle do anything whatever that shall have a ten- 
d-enoy t-o- extend that most disgraceful feature of our In- 
stitutions, — Domestic Slavery. 

" Resolved, That Justice demands the immediate 
withdrawal of our armies from the territory of the Re- 
public of Mexico. 

" Resolved, That our Senators and Representatives 
in Congress, and our Senators and Representatives in 
the State Legislature, are hereby requested to use all 
lawful influence in their power to bring this unrighteous 
war to a speedy close." 

The town is at present steadily advancing in all that 
elevates a community. In Religion, Morals, Industry, 
Education and Health, the Town of Danvers will not 
suffer by comparison with any other in our highly favor- 



122 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 



ed New England. To the tokens of her high prosperi- 
ty she can point with the pride of conscious excellence, 
and say with an ancient : 

These are my Jewels. 



NOTES TO CHAPTER Y. 

(A ) When the frigate Constitution was driven into Marblehead 
harbor by English Vessels, and thus effected her escape, she was seen 
by some of the citizei\s of New Mills. There were one or two alarms, 
bat no actual service performed on the part of the citizens of Dan- 
vers. The "Ipswich Friglit" of course prevailed here. A company 
of minute-men, called an Alarm List, was formed at New Mills, the 
muster roll of which is as follows: Samuel Page, Capt.; Thomas Put- 
nam, Lieut-, Caleb Oakes and John Endicott, Sargts., John Page, 
Cierk; and Thomas Cheever, Edward Richardson, Hooper Stimpson, 
Stephen Hrown, Samuel Pindar, John Fowler, Samuel Trickey, Wil- 
liam Francis, Samuel Fowler, Benj Kent, Moses Black, Daniel Put- 
nam, Joseph Stearns, Jonas Warren, Ebeii Dale, George Waitt, 
Nath'l Putnam, John W. Osgood, Allen Gould, Ebenezer Jacobs, 
Moses Waitt, Andrew Gould, William Trask, Israel Hutchinson, 
George Osgood, Henry Brown, Ebenezer Berry, William Cutler, 
Daniel Hardy, Jonathan Sheldon, Seth Stetson, Michael Saunders, 
Ezra Batohelder, Thomas Symonds, Rich:ird Skidmore, Ephraim 
Smith, Hercules Josselyn, Jeremiah Page, Benj. Wellington, Moses 
Putnam, Israel Andrew, Nath'l Mayhew, John Wheeler, David Tarr, 
John Russell, John Kenney, Jacob Allen, Daniel Usher, Israel Endi- 
cott and James F. Putnam privates. Capt. Samuel Page's yard 
was the rendezvous. Another company was formed in ihe south- 
ern and western portion of the Town. The following are a 
few of the names : Capt., Gideon Foster ; Lieutenants, John- 
son Proctor and Nathan Felton; Ensign, DanielKing ; Ord. Sergt. ^ 
John Upton ; Privates, William Pool, Eben S. Upton, Rufus Wyman, 
Eben King, Amos King, John Goldlhwaite, John Osborn, Oliver 
Saunders, Joseph Griffin, Stephen Proctor, Asa Bushby, Asa Tapley^ 
James WIson, Elisha Wilson, John Needham, Jona. Osborn, Amos 
Osborn, W. W. Little, James Southvvick, Joseph Shaw, George South- 



HISTORY OP DANVERS. 123 

wick, Sylvester Osborn, jr., Benj Stephens, Benj. Gile, Elisha Gun- 
nison, Eben Osborn, Solomon Mclntire, William Sutton, Samuel Bux- 
ton, and about so many more whose names could not be astertained- 
There were two alarms when these companies were caUed out. One 
was caused by a boat laden with sea-weed, passing by Hospital Point, 
where the Artillery was posted. The boat was mistaken for a British 
barge, and as it returned no answer on being hailed, it was fired upon. 
The alarm of Course travelled into the country, and th? wh de region 
was thrown into confusion by the tidings that the British were abont 
landing. On the other occasion, Sept. 28lh, the Artillery was alarm- 
ed by some men who were drawing a seine, and by firing, the alarm 
spread, it is said, as far as Coos County, New Hampshire. On 
bot h of these occasions, these companies manifested a praise- 
worthy alacrity in repairing to the spot of supposed danger, — though 
tradition has whispered that certain members were taken with a 
strange and uncontroUable weakness,, in these marches, and were 
often obliged to sit down beside stone walls, (\cc., until the rest had 
returned from iheir destination. It is probable, however, that tradi- 
tion, which so often mistakes, is incorrect in this instance. 

A lort of turf, mounted by two iron four-pounders, was built on 
Hooper's factory wharf. Several -fine English prize vessels laid iu 
Forler's river, near Kent's shipyard, durnig the war. 

CHAPTER VI. 

STATISTICS, &C. 

Representatives to the General Court and Provincial Congress. 

Daniel Epes, Jr., 1754, 5, 6, 7, 65, 7. Daniel 
Gardner, 1759. Thomas Porter, 1760, 1, 2, 3, 5. 
John Preston, 1764. Samuel Holten, /r., 1768, 9, 
70, 1, 2, 3,5, 80, 7. Wm. Shillaber, 1775. Samuel 
Eppes, 1776. Jeremiah Hutchinson, 1777, 8, 9, 80, 
1, 2, -3, 5, 6, 8. Gideon Putnam, 1784. Israel 
Hutchinson, 1789, 91, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8. Caleb Low, 
1790. Gideon Foster, 1796, 9,1800, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 
Samuel Page, 1800, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14. 



124 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

Nathan Road, 1804. Nathan Felton, 1805, 6, 7, 8, 9, 
10, 11, 12 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21. Squiers 
Shove, 1808, 9. Dennison Wallis, 1810, 11, 12, 
13, 19. Daniel Putnam, 1811, 17, 19. James 
Foster, 1812, 13. Hezekiah Flint, 1814, 15. Syl- 
vester Osborne, 1814, "15, 17. William P. Page, 
1815, 1Q> Frederick Howes, 1816, 17, 18. John 
Swinnerton, Jr., 1816. Thomas Putnam, 1817, 19. 
William Sutton, 1822, 31. Ebenezer Shillaber, 1823, 
32. John Page, 1823, 5, 31, 2, 3. Nathan Poor, 1823, 

4, 8, 30, 1. Nathaniel Putnam, 1823. John Endi- 
cott, 1825. Jonathan Shove, 1826, 7, 8, 9, 30, 1, 2, 
3. Rufus Choate, 1826, 7. Robert S. Daniels, 1828, 
30. Elias Putnam, 1829, 30. John Preston, 1831, 
2, 3, 4. Henry Cook, 1833, 4. Andrew Lunt, 1834, 

5, 6. Eben Putnam, 1834, 7. Jacob F. Perry, 1834, 
5, 6. Daniel P. King, 1835, 6, 42. Allen Putnam, 
1835, 9, 40. Joshua H. Ward, 1835, 6, 9. Caleb 
L. Frost, 1836, 7. Samuel P. Fowler, 1837, 8, 9. 
Lewis Allen, 1837, 8. Henry Poor, 1838, 9. Abel 
Nichols, 1838. Fitch Poole, 1840, 1. Samuel Pres- 
ton, 1841, 2. Frederic Morrill, 1843. Joshua Sil- 
vester, 1843, 7. Richard Osborn,1844, 5. Henry 
Fowler, 1844, 5, 6. Elijah W. Upton, 1846, 7. 

Previous to the year 1831, Representatives served 
the same year they were elected. Since that time they 
have served the year following. Those marked 1847, 
were really chosen for 1848. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

Daniel Eppes jr., 1752, 3. James Prince, 1754,5, 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 125 

6, 8, 9, 60. Benj. Prescott jr., 1757, 61. Gideon 
Patnam, 1762, 72, 89 after August. Thomas Porter, 

1763, 7. Archelaus Dale, 1761, 5, 6. Samuel Hol- 
ten jr., 1768, 9, 70, 1, 3, 4, 5. Stephen Needham, 
1776, 7 after August, 1778, 9, 80, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 
Samuel Flint, 1777 after August. Jonathan Sawyer, 
1787 until Dec. James Porter, 1787, 8, 9 until August, 
1790 until Nov. Samuel Page, 1790 after Nov. Gid- 
eon Foster, 1791, 2, 3, 4. Joseph Osborne jr., 1795, 
6, 7, 8, 9, 1800. Nathan Felton from 1801 to 1828. 
Benj. Jacobs, 1829, 30j 1, 2, 3, 4. Joseph Shed 1835 
to . 

MOBERAtORS 0]^ ANNUAL MEETINGS. 

Daniel Eppes Jr., 1752, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 60, 5, 
6, 7. Thomas Flint, 1754. Samuel Flint, 1758. 
Thomas Porter, 1761, 2, 3, 72. Malachi Felton, 

1764. Samuel Holten, 1768, 81, 4, 6, 7, 9, 90, 
6 to 1812 inclusive. Gideon Putnam, 1769, 79, 
83, 5, 93, 4, 5. Archelaus Dale, 1770, 3, 6. 
Wm. Shillaber, 1771, 4, 5, 7, 8,88,91,2. Amos 
Putnam, 1780, 2. Jonathan Ingersoll, 1813. Samu- 
el Page, -1814. Andrew Nichols, 1815, 16, 17. Jo- 
seph Shed, 1818. George Osgood, 1819, 21, 5, 35. 
Thomas Putnam, 1820. Nathan Poor, 1822, 3, 4. 
Robt. S. Daniels, 1826. Elias Putnam, 1827, 9, 31. 
Lewis Allen, 1828 46. John W. Proctor, 1830, 2, 4, 
8, 8, 40. John Preston, 1833, 7. Samuel P. Fowler 
1839, 43. Abel Nichols 1841. Daniel P. King, 
1842. Jonathan Shove, 1844. Moses Black jr» 
1845, 7. 

n 



126 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 



TAXES. 



The following is a list of the taxes paid each year, 
so far as the books present them. 



PROVINCE, TOWN AND COUNTY. 



Year. 
1752 

53 

54 

55 

56 

5T 

58 

59 

60 

61 

62 

63 

64 

65 

66 

Year. Town. 
1782 

83 

84 

85 

86 

87 

88 

89 

90 

91 

92 

93 

94 



£. 
248 
256 
287 
345 
709 
879 
862 
1115 
947 
762 

723 

772 
733 
620 



s. d. 

13 8 

2 4 

13 
8 3 

14 IC 
14 8 

4 
2 4 

13 11 
10 3 

7 1 

10 

14 7 

1 1 



Year. 

1767 
68 
69 
70 
71 
72 
73 
74 
75 
76 
77 
78 
79 
80 
81 



Highway. 



£1,000 
700 
700 

1,017 16 1 
800 

1,200 
750 
750 

640 19 5 
628 18 4 
728 15 8 
745 19 



£250 



120 



140 
150 



£. 

631 

314 

587 

581 

735 

503 

461 

874 

405 

337 

462 

2,089 

6,863 

355,446 

4.560 



s. d. 

4 6 

7 8 

13 9 

17 1 

19 8 

13 3 

4 

3 4 

7 

1 

4 



10 
12 
19 



6 9 



Silver. 
State. 
£1,460 
1,468 19 2 
1,082 15 6 

1,222 10 1 

539 18 7 



m^- 



1 ' — 




.o.^ 


i 

i 


HISTORY OP DANVERS. 


127 


1 ■ . 

Year. 


Town. Highway. 


State. 


95 


$2,911 68 §200 




96 


"2,859 48 833 33 




97 


2,899 44 833 33 




Year. 


Town. 


Highway. 


1798 


S3,034 24 


$1,000 1 


1799 


2,968 64 


1,000 1 


1800 


2,909 25 


1,000 j 


1801 


3,191 98 


1,000 1 


1802 


4,214 39 


1,000 1 


1803 


5,211 80 


1.000 


1804 


5,144 16 


1,250 


1805 


4,212 59 


1,250 


1806 


3,751 62 


1,250 


1807 


4,307 10 




1808 


4,244 38 


1,500 


1809 


5,225 08 


1,500 


1810 


5.2S5 05 


1,400 


1811 


5,350 64 


1,500 1 


1812 


5,230 06 


1,500 1 


1813 


4,806 60 


1,200 ! 


1814 


5,303 47 


800 


1815 


5,240 10 


1,000 


1816 


5,203 60 


1,000 1 


1817 


5,158 24 


1,500 i 


1818 


4,6S6 03 


1.000 


1819 


5,061 52 


1,000 


1820 


5,144 39 


1.250 1 


1821 


5,113 95 


1,250 ! 


1822 


5.270 79 


1,250 1 


1823 


5,169 93 


1,250 


1824 


5,107 09 


1,250 


1825 


5,777 66 


1,250 


1826 


5,724 73 


1,250 


1827 


6,163 43 


1,250 


1828 


6,129 25 


1,250 


1829 


6,072 95 


1,250 


1830 


8,363 48 


900 


i 1831 


6,340 91 


1,200 


j 1832 


7,722 86 


1,250 


m. 




m 



^28 


HISTORY OF DANVERS. 


■ ' ■ ' ' ■ » 


Year. 


Town. 


Highway. 


1S33 


$8,739 63 


$1,250 


1834 


8,748 15 


1,250 


1835 


9,358 24 


1,250 


1836 


9,599 77 


1.250 


1837 


11,122 13 


1,250 


1838 


9,682 77 


1,200 


1839 


9.960 99 


1,250 


1840 


11,832 74 


1.500 


1841 


10,461 98 


1,500 


1842 


11,415 15 


1,500 


1843 


11,393 18 


1,500 


1844 


12,964 85 


1,500 


1845 


17,246 56 


1,500 


1846 


20,612 64 


1,500 



The taxes on this amount were generally drawn from 
men in the condition in which Agar prayed to be : neith- 
er poor nor rich. 

MANUFACTURES. 

Danvers is both a manufacturing and an agricultural 
town. The valuation of 1845, taken by authority of 
the State, is thought to be underrated. It is certainly 
below the actual condition of the town, but is as near 
as can at present be estimated. 

There is one Rolling, Slitting and Nail Mill, which 
employs 11 hands, and works over 1000 tons of iron an" 
nually, valued at $80,000. Capital invested, $9,000. 
— A furnace which manufactures 50 tons of castings 
annually, producing $4000, and employing 5 hands. 
Capital, $1000. — An Axe Manufactory which turns off 
2500 axes every year, valued at $3000; Capital $300 
and 3 men employed. — T Saddle, Harness and Trunk 
Manufactories employing 18 men, producing articles 
valued at $8,200, on a Capital of $3,650.-2 manufac- j 

I m 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 129 

tories of Soap and Candles, employing 6 men, produc- 
ing 624,000 lbs. of soap, 36,000 lbs. of candles, valu- 
ed at $20,500, on a capital of $25,580.-2 Cabinet 
factories employing 3 men producing wares valued at 
$3,000 on a Capital of $1,050.— 4 Tin Ware Manu- 
factories employing 14 men producing wares valued at 
$17,000, on a Capital of $7,500.-1 Glue factory, 
employing 8 men, realizing $25,000, on a Capital of 
$12,000.— 61 Tanneries which annually finish 553,760 
hides valued at $638,708. There is a Capital of $414,- 
600 invested, and 268 Men employed. The Tanneries 
of Dan vers cover a good portion of the Town, and the 
state of the Leather market determines the degree of 
prosperity which the Town enjoys. There are three 
Morocco Factories which dress 100,000 skins valued at 
$40,000. There are 40 hands employed, on a Capi- 
tal of $35,000. 

As Danvers occupies important ground in the useful 
business of tanning, if limits allowed, an interesting his- 
tory of the enterprise might be given. The father of 
the business, was Edward Southwick, a Quaker, and 
paternal grandfather of P. R. Southwick, Esq., of Bos- 
ton, known as an enterprising and accomplished mer- 
chant. He was married in the year 1739, and it is 
probable that it was about that date, that he, as was 
customary, "set up" in business. It is related that he 
commenced by using half hogsheads for vats. After a 
while as his business increased, he succeeded in getting 
a gondola, which he used, until, after a few years he 
sank three or four vats. He lived in tho old mansion 
opposite the monument, now occupied by one of his de- 



130 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

scendants. This venerable edifice was among the first 
to adopt the comparatively modern square panes of 
glass, in the place of the diamond leaded pane. From 
this circumstance it was known for many years as the 
Glass House. He died in the year 1791. 

A large number of the houses have a small out- 
building attached, in which boots and shoes are made. 
Thas it is difficult to ascertain the amount of Capital 
invested, but it is known that about 1,586 men, and 
980 women are constantly employed in this important 
business, who annually produce 1,150,300 pairs of boots 
and shoes valued at §671,450. — 60 Men are engaged 
in Brick-making who manufacture 1,100,000 each year, 
valued at $24,600. — 31 Men prepare stone for build- 
ing, amounting to $8,850. — 1 Pump and block maker 
manufactures $500 worth yearly. — 1,200 bushels of 
Shoe Pegs, and 40,000 Lasts valued at $8000, are 
made each year. 5 men are employed in making lasts, 
and a capital of $2,000 is invested. — 6 men and a 
Capital of $1000, produce $4000 worth of Earthen 
Ware. At one time this was the principal business in 
town. Table Ware of "Danvers China" brought a high 
price during the last war. A large number of our citi- 
zens might then have been seen working hke the laborer 
mentioned in Ecclesiasticus 38: 29, 30. — 3000 Hides 
are prepared for Pickers valued at $8,000, on a Capi- 
tal of $2,000.-37,000 Shoe boxes valued at $14,500 
are made, which employ 10 Men and a Capital of 
$3000.-15000 lights of sashes &c., valued at $750, 
are made by 2 men on a capital of $300. — The Dan- 
vers Carpet Factory at Tapleyville owned by Messrs. 

W ■ ■ . >■ .s 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 131 ( 

Tapley, is about 182 ft long by 30 wide, operated by 
an engine of 25 horse power, has about 30 looms in op- 
eration, employing 60 hands, who work up 100,000 
lbs. of wool and weave about 60,000 yards of carpet- 
ing annually. There are stockings and some other arti- 
cles manufactured in the town. The stocking factory 
is situated in a place which rejoices in the euphonious 
title of the "Devil's Dishful." The name originated, 
according to a popular story teller, in this way : A 
husking party had assembled, and while the people 
were at their labors in the barn, some young rogues 
who v^ere uninvited, dug a passage through the wall of 
the house, into the oven, and abstracted the savory 
contents, which they conveyed to an old ruined build- | 
ing, where they intended to rejoice in their ill-gotten 
gains. While they revelled, an old negro who had for- 
merly dwelt in the dilapidated mansion, who had been 
obliged to visit foreign parts for some deed of roguery, 
but who had returned and sought a night's lodging in 
the cellar, hearing the noise, ascended through a trap- 
door, and seeing the food, began to eat. His pres- 
ence, of course, alarmed the young revellers, and they 
left the house precipitately, and immediately encoun- 
tered the husking party, to whom they related their 
adventure, (omitting the account of the theft,) and 
from whom they received the mysterious story of the 
abstracted pudding and beans. Strengthened by num- 
bers, all repaired to the old hut, where they saw this 
strange being at his meal, and to their excited imagin- 
ations he had horns, hoofs, and a brimstone breath. 
Fear soon drove them to their homes, and when they 



132 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

returned the next day, only a "dishful of pumpkin pie 
was left on the table by the greedy Devil." Thus the 
name ! — The "Danvers Bleaching Company," with a 
capital of $100,000, have a large establishment of 
stone, and are about erecting others, for the purpose 
of bleaching. Their facilities are uncommon, from the 
remarkable purity of the water at their command. 

AGRICULTURE, &C. 

In Danvers there are 98 sheep worth 186 dolls, yield- 
ing 257 lbs. of wool at 87 dolls. — There are 564 horses 
worth 32,095 dolls, 1,321 neatcattle worth 30,435 dolls, 
1,003 swine valued at 12,341 dolls. — Common vegetable 
productions are raised with ease in great abundance. 
Each year realizes about 13,929 bushels of Indian corn at 
8,357 dolls. ; 1315 bushels of rye at 735 dolls ; 344 
bushels of barley at 223 dolls. ; 1353 bush, of oats at 
502 dolls. ; 31,095 bushels of potatoes at 9,328 dolls ; 
120,000 bushels of onions at 50,000 dolls.; other escu- 
lents 2,160 bushels at 700 dolls. ; 3,097 tons hay at 32, 
470 dolls. — Probably no town in the w )rld raises as ma- 
ny onions as Danvers. — There is a great variety of rich 
fruit produced consisting of apples, plums, etc., amount- 
ing in full to 50,000 bushels, valued at 18,177 dolls. 
Besides these, Danvers produces 52,550 lbs. of butter ; 
1,450 lbs. of cheese ; 3,500 lbs. of honey ; 200 tons 
of squashes ; 150,000 dolls, worth of beef and pork for 
market ; 47,452 galls, of milk ; 3,726 cords of fire 
wood, valued at 15,400 dolls., &c., &c. 

At all agricultural fairs, cattle shows, etc., Danvers 
is usually represented, and premiums on domestic arti- 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 133 

cles, agricultural products and live stock, prove the ex- 
cellence of our soil and the industry of our people. 

The Osborne Cow, belonged to Mr. Philip Os- 
borne, and produced 20 qts. of milk weighing 58 lbs., 
daily. Her milk was sold at 4 cts. per quart, which 
reahzed five dollars and sixty cents weekly. To test 
its real excellence, the owner saved the milk one week 
and it made 18 1-2 lbs. of nice butter. 

The Oakes Cow, belonging to Caleb Oakes, was a 
very remarkable animal. She was of middling size, but 
on evidence satisfactory to the Massachusetts Agricul- 
tural Society, she produced from April 5th to Sept. 
25th, 484 lbs. of butter, being about 20 pounds each 
week. 

The Nourse Cow produced nearly the same amount 
and the Pond Cow gave 14 qts of milk daily, for ten 
consecutive months. 

BANKS. 

Village Bank. Incorporated 18,36. Capital 120, 
000 dollars. Discount days Mondays and Thursdays. 
Pirst President, Hon. EHas Putnam. Officei-s : Pres- 
dent, Moses Putnam ; Cashier, W. L. Weston ; Direc- 
tors, Moses Putnam, Moses Black, Joshua Silvester, 
Daniel Richards, John Wright (Topsfield,) Aaron 
Putnam, Joseph S. Black. 

Danvers BciJik. Inc., 1825. Capital 150,000 dol- 
lars. Discount days Tuesdays and Fridays. First 
President, William Sutton. Officers : President, Eben. 
Shillaber; George A. Osborne, Cashier; Directors, 
Eben. Shillaber, Caleb L. Frost, Eben Sutton, Jo- 



134 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 

seph Shaw, Robert S. Daniels, David Daniels, Asa 
Sawyer. 

Warren Bank. Inc., 1831. Capital 120,000 dol- 
lars. Discount days Mondays and Thursdays. First 
President, Jonathan Shove. Officers : President, Eli- 
jah W. Upton ; Cashier, Francis Baker ; Directors, 
E. W. Upton, Kendal Osborne, Henry Poor, Oliver 
Saunders, Sylvester Osborne, jr., Lewis Allen, Gilbert 
Tapley, Franklm Osborne, Benjamin Wheeler, Chas. 
Lambert, George Osborne, Benj. Porter. 

Danvers Mutual Fire Insurance Oompany. Insti- 
tuted 1829. First President, Ebenezer Shillaber. 
Officers : President, Henry Cook ; Geo. A. Osborne, 
Secretary. ' Amount at risk, 700,000 00. Directors, 
Henry Cook, Robert S. Daniels, Benjamin Wheeler, 
Eben S. Upton, Dr. Joseph Osgood, Dr. George Os- 
borne, Lewis Allen, Henry Poor, John Whitney. 

COMMERCE. 

The facilities for navigation presented by Crane, 
Waters' and Porter's Rivers, have been improved, and 
the NcAY Mills Village has been and is a place of a 
good degree of business importance. During the past 
year there have been 127 arrivals at this port ;— 106 
schooners and 21 sloops. These brought 37 cargoes 
of wood and bark ; 35 of flour and corn ; 15 of lum- 
ber ; 9 of lime ; 2 of salt ; 1 of molasses, and 1 of 
coal. Bricks and onions have been exported. Be- 
sides these there have been 30 arrivals at the Iron 
Factory of coal, wood, lumber, etc. 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 135 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

The very effective Fire Department of Danvers com- 
menced Aug. 25tli, 1800, when two engines were pur- 
chased, one of which was placed at the Bell Tavern 
and the other at New Mills. Two more were added in 
the year 1821. At present there are eight excellent 
engines, two sail cars, eleven hook and ladder stations, 
and twenty-five reservoirs, located in appropriate places. 
These engines have rendered faitiiful service not only 
in Danvers but in several of the neighboring towns. 
During the past year the town has expended 2,591 
dolls. 16 cts. on the department. 

ASSOCIATIONS &C. 

Free Masons. Jordan Lodge ; 50 members ; Insti- 
tuted in 1808. 

Female Benevolent Society, This Institution accom- 
plishes much good among the poor of our vicinity. 
There is a laughable anecdote related of it. When 
Rev. Geo. Cowles was settled with the 2d Cong. Soci- 
ety, he desired to see the records of this Benevolent 
Association. The Secretary, on examining the books, 
found the following entry in several instances : ^'TJie 
Society met, and as no one attended, it adjourned T"* 

Danvers 3Iechanic Institute. Inc. 1811 ; 140 mem- 
bers ; a Library of 1800 volumes. 

Bechahites. Howard Tent No. 87 ; 53 members ; 
Instituted March, 1845. 

Sons of Temperance. Monumental Division No. 
5; Instituted Aug. 1845. 



136 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

Odd FeUoivs, Holten Lodge No. 104 ; 41 mem- 
bers ; Instituted Jan., 1846. 

DaugUers of Eechab. Samaritan Tent No. 22; 
19 members ; Instituted May, 1847. 

Besides these, are various societies auxiliary to 
the churches ; ^Anti-Slavery, Temperance, Literary, 
&c. 

POOR HOUSE. 

The unfortunate poor have always been regarde d 
•with tenderness by our citizens, and they have receiv- 
ed comfortable accommodations. Previous to the year 
1808, a building was owned by the town for the above 
laudable purpose. In that year a farm and buildings 
were purchased of Nathaniel Nurse for 7,000 dollars, 
for the use of the poor, and the old alms-house was 
sold in the year following. In the year 1844 a splend- 
id establishment was completed at a cost of 12,750 
dolls. 69 cts. Besides the Poor House and Hospital, 
there are 100 acres of woodland, 100 acres of tillage, 
meadow and pasture, a lot of salt marsh in Saugus, 
and stock, implements, hay, etc. enough belonging to 
the establishment to render its value about 24,000 
dollars. The average number of inmates for the year 
1846, was 58 ; these were supported at an expense 
of 3,458 dolls. During the year there were four 
deaths. For convenience, cleanliness, order and archi- 
tectural beauty, there are but few buildings in the Town 
or County that can be said to surpass it. 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 137 ' 



TEMPERANCE. 

In the year 1812 the first Temperance Society in the 
world, probably, — certainly the first in America, — was 
formed. It was called the Massachusetts Society for the 
Suppression of Intemperance. It consisted of about 
125 members, of whom Joseph Torrey, Samuel Hol- 
TEN and Benjamin Wads worth, were from this town. 
The first public society for the suppression of intemper- 
ance in this town, was the Danvers Moral Society, 
formed in February 1814, when it was by no means 
a popular act for a man to announce himself a temper- 
ance man. Art. 12, of the Constitution sets forth tlie 
objects of the Society : " The members of this Society 
being fully convinced that the daily use of ardent spir- 
its is unnecessary and prejudicial to health, do agree to 
exert their influence against," etc. This Society num- 
bered the most respectable and influential citizens of 
the town. The first Board of Officers was the follow- 
ing : Hon. Samuel Holten, President ; Rev. Benjamin 
Wadsworth and Rev. Samuel Walker, Vice Presidents ; 
Dr. Joseph Torrey, Rec. Sec. ; Dr. Andrew Nichols, 
Cor. Sec. ; Fitch Pool, Treasurer ; Eleazer Putnam, 
Samuel Page, John Endicott, Sylvester Osborne, Jas. 
Osborne, James Brown, WilUam Sutton, Nathan Fel- 
ton, Counsellors. For several years it was customary 
to have a yearly lecture. In May 1833, the word 
" daily" was stricken from the article above quoted. 

The first public action on the part of the Town was 
had March 30th, 1818, when the thanks of the Town 
were presented to the Selectmen for their zeal in en- 

12 



138 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

deavoring to prevent a portion of the people from wast- 
ing *' health, time and estate in drinking"; and they 
were earnestly requested to continue their efforts. It 
was customary at this time to post the names of all 
common drunkards in conspicuous places. May 7th, 
1827, a committee of nine was raised to prosecute all li- 
censed persons who infringed the laws^ and alljunlicensed 
persons vrho sold ardent spirits. Dr. Ebenezer 
Hunt this year delivered the first public address in 
Danvers advocating total abstinence. lie received the 
thanks of the Society for his " ingenious and independ- 
ent" address. In June 1831, the Overseers of the 
Poor were instructed to furnish no more alcohol to the 
Paupers, unless prescribed by a physician. Danvers 
was among the first towns in the Commonwealth to re- ]' 
fuse to grant licenses, which it did March 4rh, 1833 ; ^ 
accordingly no intemperance has been manufactured by ,1 
law for fifteen years. The following year a committee ij 
was chosen to correspond vvith other towns in relation to 
granting licenses, in order to gain information on which 
to ground judicious action. April 4th, 1836, eight 
hundred females, " our wives, mothers, daughters and 
sisters," petitioned the legal voters to " act as well as 
to thinF^ against intemperance. April 3d, 1837, John 
W. Proctor, Esq., presented several very excellent 
Resolutions in behalf of Temperance, and paid inci- 
dentally a handsome rebuke to the authorities of Sa- 
lem, by requesting them, if they insisted upon legaliz- 
i ing the rum traffic, not to locate their dram shops on 
'■ the immediate borders of Danvers. This request was 
very appropriate, when we remember that Salem 

m M 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 139 fl 

has always been a source of drunkenness to Danvers. 
The Resolutions were unanimously adopted. From that 
time onward sober influences have been increasing. 
The people are constantly on the w^atch to guard against 
this fruitful source of crime and misery. The different 
Societies organized to effect the eradication of intem- 
perance, ma}^ be seen in the chapter of Statistics. 

The following bill in the possession of John Page, 
Esq., will show us the advance made in Sobriety and 
Temperance by our people. 

Dr. Coll. Page fowerman Grand Jury 

Nom 6 To 15 Doners at 2s 

For 1 *Duball Bole Grog 4s 

For Duballs punch IGs 

To 15 Deners at 23 

To 1 Glass Brandy 3d, to 9 Boles 

Grog 
To 3 Glass Brandy Is to 1 Boles 

Grog Is 
To 2 Duballs Boles punch 
To 1 mug flip Is 
To 3 Boles punch 6s 
To 5 Boles punch 20s 
To 2 mugs flip 2s 
To 15 Deners at 2s 
To 6 Shetes Peaper 

£ 7 9t9 
Reed the Above Salem Nov. 9. 1786 

Jona Webb 
♦double. (tl7?) 

Curious Town documents might be quoted, showing 
that our Selectmen were not always the sober, grave 



£1 10 








4 





16 





1 


10 








9 


3 





1 








8 








1 








6 





1 











2 





1 


10 











6 



140 HISTORY OF DANYERS. 



fathers they are in modern times. Their bills for grog 
were usually larger than those for more solid comforts. 
At the place where Tapley's Brook crosses the South 
Reading Road, there was formerly a public house, and 
credible tradition relates, that the boundaries between 
Salem and Danvers which are described by that road 
were settled upon an occasion when the Selectmen of 
ihe two towns assembled in the aforesaid public 
house, and " perambulated the bounds" by getting 
essentially drunk together. — Those days of folly have 
passed, however, and Danvers now stands in the front 
rank of the Advocates of this great Reform. 

SLAVERY. 

In common with other portions of New England, 
there were Slaves in this town until the abolition of Sla- 
very in Massachusetts. In 1755 there were nine male 
and sixteen female slaves in the District of Danvers. The 
anti-slavery spirit has always prevailed very extensively 
in the town, and while the Slave here finds some of his 
warmest friends, the accursed Institution which is built 
of human bones, and cemented with human blood, finds 
here uncompromising foes. As early as the year 1819 
when the Missouri question was agitated, a letter was 
addressed by the citizens to Hon. Nath'l Silsbee on this 

I important subject, of which the following is the sub- 
stance. They assure Mr. Silsbee of the gratification 
they experience in finding him, and most of the delega- 
tion from Mass. opposed to the extension of Slavery ; 
they say further, to be silent under the existing circum- 

] stances would be criminal ; they fear that the evil of 



HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 141 

Slavery may become perpetual ; they earnestly hope 
that every practicable exertion -will be made, to hasten 
%e time, when the republic shall witness the complete 
emancipation of the African ; they affirm that Congress 
has power to act on the question of Slavery, and trust 
they "possess the will and inclinatmi to act rightly," 
which views they endorse by quotations from the Consti- 
tution ; they add: 

"May we not, Sir, be permitted to indulge the hope, 
that the cause of humanity will ultimately prevail ; that 
ere long this infernal traffic in human flesh, will be 
completely and entirely abolished ? With the highest 
satisfaction, we have witnessed the efforts that have been 
made and are now making in the European world, to 
effect this most desirable of all objects. And shall the 
United States, emphatically a land of boasted liberty 
and equal rights, be backward in a cause so noble, and 
so good ? In a cause that m^ost forcibly appeals for aid, 
to every principle of Patriotism, of Humanity, and of 
Religion. Forbid it Heaven ! Forbid it Justice !" 
They ask Mr. S. to excuse the warmth of their language, 
saying: "on subjects of tliis kind, it is not easy at all 
times to keep within the due bounds of moderation." 
Signed, Edward Southwick, William Sutton, Thomas 
Putnam, Andrew Nichols, John W. Proctor. To this 
address, Mr. S. returned a suitable reply. 

Since that time the people of all classes have arrayed 
themselves on the side of freedom, and have sent out a 
constant and powerful influence for the wronged and 
oppressed Negro. Among the churches which have 
spoken officially may be mentioned the Methodist, the 






142 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

Third Congregational, and the First and Second Univer- 
salist. A thorough organic opposition prevails, ex cath- 
edra. 

It will perhaps amuse the antiquarian, to see the fol- 
lowing documents which reveal to us the past state of af- 
fairs in our own town. The first is from John Page 
Esq., and the second from Warren M. Jacobs. 

^'Danvers April 19th, 1766. 

"Rec'd of Mr. Jeremiah Page Fifty Eight pound, 
thirteen shiUings & four pence lawfull money and a Ne- 
gro-woman called Dinah, which is in full for a Negro 
woman called Combo, and a Negro girl called Cate, and 
a Negro child called DeUverance or Dili, which I now 
Sell and Deliver to ye said Jeremiah Page. 

*' Witness ( Jona. Bancroft John Tapley 
( Ezek Marsh" 

''Dill" is now living in Salem. 

"E-ecieved of Mr. Ebenezer Jacobs of Danvers the 
sum of Fourty five Pounds six shillings and Eight pence 
Lawfull Mony, which is in full, Satisfaction for a Negro 
Boy Named Primus, which I have this Day sold to the 
s'd Jacobs. 

c£.45, 6, 8d Daniel Epes Jun. 

"Danvers April! ye 30th, 1754" 

Primus was a brave soldier in the Revolution. 

The following extract from Cutler's Life of Putnam 
will shoAV us the New England method of punishing re- 
fractory slaves. — a method more marked with severity 
than justice. It occurred in Danvers, before Israel 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 143 



Putnam removed to Connecticut. It should be pre- 
mised that CuDGE belonged to a neighbor of Putnam's. 

" By some means, his mistress had grievously of- 
fended the negro. He became so enraged, that he 
swore he would take her life ; and neither soothino' 
words, nor threats, had any effect to pacify him. The 
family was thrown into the greatest alarm, knowing 
that his temper was of that ungoverna])le savage char- 
acter that nothing w^ould restrain him from indulging 
it. In this state of things, his master devised a plan 
for the permanent relief of his family. Having made 
his arrangements, he went out into the field with his 
hoe in his hand, and said — 

''Cudge, you have had rather hot work getting in the 
potatoes." 

"Yes, massa, hot enough.'' 

"Well, I -am going to give you a play-day. I have 
sold fifty bushels, to be delivered on board a vessel at 
the wharf in Salem, and if you would like it, you may 
go in with the load." 

"Oh! yes, massa; like it very well." 

"You may have the whole day, Cudge. So you 
can take your fiddle with you, and play a jig for the 
sailors, and so get a few coppers for yourself." 

"Cudge was highly pleased with the proposal, and 
started off in great glee. 

"Having unloaded his potatoes, the sailors, who had 
been let into the secret and received their instructions 
beforehand, called upon Cudge to bring out his fiddle 
and play them a jig, that they might have one merry 
dance before going to sea. 



144 HISTORY OP DANVERS. 

"The negro showed his teeth, and his fiddle too ; and 
presently the deck of the brig was as merry as a coun- 
try ball-room at Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, the dancers 
were not niggardly in "paying the piper." The cop- 
pers fell on this side and that, and Cudge was some- 
what disconcerted in his measure, by the necessity of 
breaking off and running after them, to prevent them 
from going out at the scuppers. Presently, one of the 
sailors said — 

"Cudge, your fiddle is getting dry ; you must go 
below and rosin your bozu.^^ This w^as another phrase 
for "wetting his whistle," or taking a dram. 

"Cudge took the hint with alacrity, and adjourned 
with two or three of the party to the forecastle. Here, 
with drinking, fiddling, singing and dancing, two or 
three hours passed away, and Cudge had almost filled 
his pockets with coppers, xit length, starting up, as 
from a dream, he exclaimed : 

"Yah ! I must go up, and see how the cattle stand." 

"He went up ; but, to his utter amazement, there 
was neither cattle nor cart to be seen ; no, nor houses, 
nor wharf. The brig was many miles out at sea, and 
Cudge was bound to a southern clime, where slaves 
could be more easily managed than on the hardy soil 
of New England. He went to the same market with 
his potatoes, and was sold for the same account." 

SCHOOLS. 

The excellent Common Schools of Banvers had a very 
humble origin. They are not as old as those of other 
towns, from the fact that the people of this vicinity were 
compelled at first to support those of Salem, and were thus 



^ HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 145 



m 



disqualified from sustaining schools for themselves. In 
March 1711 the Village Parish voted unanimously to 
have a '-Scolle master." Evidently the "Scolle master" 
was abroad when the Clerk recorded the vote. In the 
year 1713 widow Katharine Daland received five pounds 
for teaching, and seven pounds in addition were raised to 
devote to instructing youth. From that time onward, 
the Schools have increased in number and excellence. 
In 1734 the Village Parish, raised <£37, 6, 6, and the 
Middle Precinct raised £4.1, 4, 11 for the support of 
schools. 

The following extracts are from a Manuscript owned 
by Hon. D, P. King: ''A Record of what ye School 
Committee did in Respect of Schooling ye Youth in the 
Third parrish in Salem In ye year 1736, by Samll 
King Junr. Chosen Cleark. 

"Decemr ye 27th, at a meeting of ye Corat. 1'^ 
we have agreed to Errect Four Schools in ye Parrish : 
2'-^ agreed yfc Collo. Daniel Epes Mr. Abel Gardner 
Wm Osborn, Robart Wilson & John Waters Junr, or 
ye Major part of ym, to Errect a School in yt quarter 
of ye Parish & Capt Sam'l Endicott Mr Thorndick 
Procter John Felton and Daniel Marbell or ye Major 
part of ym to Errect a School in«yt quarter of ye Par- 
rish and Mr Ezekiel Goldthwait Mr Ezekel Marsh Pe- 
ter Twist Junr. & Saml King Junr. or ye Major part of 
ym to Errect two Schools yt may Best sute That part 
of ye Parrish." 

Stephen Osborn, Malachi Felton, Zach. King, Eze. 
kiel Marsh and Jonathan Moulton were male teachers 
this year, and ten female teachers were employed in the 



146 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 

Middle Precinct during the Summer of 1737. The 
males received <£ 2 monthly wages, and the females six- 
pence each week. 

At a meeting in the Middle Precinct, on the seven- 
teenth of March, 1739, it was voted, "that ye Parish 
Comittee be Desired to talk with a man to keep a school 
in this parish for Learning Lattin, Writing, Cyphering 
and Reading." A Schoolhouse was built in 1748 "7 
feet between Joynts, and 18 feet one way, and 22 feet 
the other way, by ye road between Ensign John Proc- 
tor's and Mr. Daniel Marble's, by or near ye Great 
Rock in ye Road." "It being put to a vote (in 1756) 
whether the son of Mr. Fuller of ^liddleton could go 
to school in this parish from this time to next Com- 
mencement it passed in the Negative." 

In 1765, it was voted to build a schoolhouse on the 
land belonging to the Middle Parish. This year a 
school was kept sLx months in each parish. Ten were 
kept in 1777 three months each. The town was com- 
plained of in 1783 for neglecting to sustain a proper 
number of schools. Great efforts were made in 1793 
to establish regular district schools. They remained 
under the general supervision until 1809, when the 
town was divided into nine districts. Subsequently, 
the seventh, first, eleventh, second, and sixth districts 
were divided, which made fourteen school districts, the 
I present number. 

The following is the summary account for the year 
1846: 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 



147 





5- 


EL 


1 '^ 

o 

o 

2 


Whole N 
e.ich Dist 


c 
3 

o 

CD 

» 


> 

2 
c 

1^ 


o 










m 




2. o 
a • 

5' 




sr 


o_ 


n' ^ 




1 


121 


145 


2t)6 


«3 


$1^^ 


^ 


§«08, 


2 


98 


107 


205 




615 




615' 


3 


22 


13 


35 




105 


60 


165 




4 


25 


29 


54 




162 


40 


202 




5 


60 


49 


109 




327 




327 




^ 


64 


45 


109 




327 




32? 




7 


30 


29 


59 




177 


20 


197 




8 


5o 


37 


92 




276 




276 




9 


19 


18 


37 




111 


60 


m 




10 


38 


30 


68 




204 


20 


224 




11 


136 


130 


266 




798 




798 




12 


74 


68 


142 




426 




426 




13 


80 


84 


164 




492 




492 




14 


48 


36 


84 




252 
5070 




252 








870 


820 


1690 


200 j 

! 


5280 





About 900 of these studied Geograpbj, Writino', 
Arithmetic and English Grammar, and all pursued 
Reading and Orthography. The other studies are as 
follows : Logic 1, Rhetoric 2, Geometry 2, Political 
Economy 2, Latin 3, Geology 3, Bookkeeping 28, 
Astronomy 30, Physiology 45, Algebra 50, Philoso- 
phy 88, Composition 195, History 320. 

STREETS, &C. 

The old Ipswich highway was the first road laid out 
in Danvers, about the year 1630. About the same 
time, roads were made, branching from the highway 



148 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

to the village, to that part where Amos King now 
lives, a road through the ancient Brooksbj, and others 
after these as necessity demanded. The Newburvport 
Turnpike was incorporated about 1802 and the Essex 
Turnpike about 1809. The streets are as follows : 

Foster, Mill, Main, Central, Lowell, Wallis, Grove, 
Holten, Washington, Sewall, Summer, Spring, Frank- 
lin, Chesnut, Elm, Andover, Liberty, Walnut, Pier- 
pont, in the south parish ; and Water, High, Purchase, 
Maple, Locust, Cedar, Willow, Ash, Sylvan, Poplar, 
Cherry, Village, Pine and CoUins, in the north parish. 
Besides these streets, convenient roads lead to all parts 
of the country, and the Essex Rail Road, from Salem 
to Lawrence, renders access to the different quarters 
of New England feasible, while the convenient chan- 
nel of Porter's River, opens a communication with the 
sea, which hes but two miles away. 

COLLEGE GRADUATES. 

Citizens of Dan vers, who have received a Collegi- 
ate education, with the name of the Listitution at 
which they graduated, — the time of taking their de- 
gree, — subsequent occupation or profession, — present 
place of residence, &c. &c.. including all those known 
to have resided in town one year or more. 

FURNISHED BY J. W. PROCTOR. 

James Bayley, Harv., 1669, clerg., Danvers. 
Geo. Burrows, Harv., 1670, clerg., Danvers. 
Samuel Parris, Harv., 1675, clerg., Danvers. 
Joseph Green, Harv., 1695, clerg., Danvers. 
John Tufts, Harv., 1708, farmer, Danvers. 



m 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 149 



Benjamin Prescott, Harv., 1709, clerg. Danvers. 

Peter Clark, Harv., 1712, clerg. Danvers. 

Daniel Putnam, Harv. 1717, farmer, Danvers. 

James Putnam, Harv., 1746, farmer, Danvers. 

Nathan Holt, Harv., 1757, clerg. Danvers. 

Daniel Eppes, Harv., 1758, teacher, Danvers. 

Timothy Pickering, Harv., 1763, Judge C. C. P., 
Danvers. 

Tarrant Putnam, Harv., 1763, gent., Danvers. 

Archelaus Putnam, Harv., 1763, phys., Danvers. 

Benjamin Wads^yorth, Harv., 1769, clerg., Danvers. 

David Daniels, Harv., 1776, merch., Danvers. 

Nathan Read, 1781, Harv. merch., Belfast. 

Samuel Putnam, Harv., 1787 couns. at law, Boston. 

Samuel Mead, Harv., 1787, clerg., Amesbury. 

Israel Andrew, Harv., 1789, teacher, Danvers. 

Nathaniel Storrs, Dart., 1796, teacher, Boston. 

R. H. French, Harv., 1798, couns. at law, Salem. 

Parker Cleveland, Harv., 1799, profess, at Bruns- 
wick. 

Jeremiah Chaplain, Brown, 1799, clerg., Waterville. 

Samuel Walker, Dart., 1802, clerg., Danvers. 

William P. Page, Harv, 1809, clerg., N. Y. 

Israel W. Putnam, Dart., 1809, clerg., Middlebor- 
ough. 

Daniel Poor, Dart., 1811, clerg., Miss, at Ceylon. 

Frederic Howes, Harv., 1811, couns. at lav^r, Salem. 

Andrew Bigelow, Harv., 1813, clerg., Boston. 

John Walsh, Harv., 1814, couns. at law, Boston. 

John W. Proctor, Harv.,1816, couns. at law, Danvers. || 

George Osborne, Harv., 1818, phys., Danvers. '^ 

I , __ _ J'j„ -_ ^M 



150 HISTORY OF DANVERS. ;| 

Ebenezer Poor, Dart., 1818, clerg., Ohio. 

Milton P. Braman, Harv. 1819, clerg., Danvers. 

Rufus Choate, Dart., 1819, couns. at law, Boston. 

William Cakes, Harv., 1820, couns. at law, Ipswich. 

George Cowles, Yale, 1823, clerg., Danvers. 

John Marsh, Harv., 1823, phys., California. 

Daniel P. King, Harv., 1823, gent., Danvers. 

Harrison (x. Park, Brown, 1824, clerg., Danvers. 

Joseph Osgood, Harv., 1824, phys., Danvers. 

Allen Putnam, Harv., 1825, clerg., Dorchester. 

John B. Richardson, Dart., 1828, clerg., Lawrence. 

Joshua H. Ward, Harv., 1829, couns. at law, Salem. 

Charles C. Sewall, Bowd., 1829, clerg., Medfield. 

Samuel P. C. King, Am., 1831, farmer, Danvers. 

Joseph W. Eaton, Harv., 1832, clerg., Danvers, 

Thomas P. Field, Am. 1834, clerg., Danvers. 

Richard Tolman, Am., 1839, clerg., Danvers. 

Ezekiel Marsh, Yale, 1839, clerg., Connecticut, 

William D. Northend, Bowd., 1843, couns. at law, 
Danvers. 

Alfred A. Abbott, Yale, 1843, couns. at law, Dan- 
vers. 

Augustus E. Daniels, Harv., 1846, gent, Danvers. 

COUNSELLORS AT LAW. 

Although Danvers has given support to but few mem- 
bers of the Bar, yet most of those gentlemen of the 
Legal profession who have resided here have been dis- 
tinguished. Frederick Howes, Ralph H. French and 
Joshua H. Ward now of Salem, were at one time resi- 
dents of Danvers, and were highly esteemed. Rufus 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 151 

Choate the distinguished head of the Suffolk Bar, com- 
menced his legal career in Danvers. Frederic Morrill, 
is at present in Maryland, and John Walsh is in Bos- 
ton. The present resident lawyers are John W. Proc- 
ter, Alfred A. Abbott and Wm. D. Northend. Mr. 
Proctor is a lineal descendant of John of that name, 
who was executed for witchcraft, and probably no one 
of the present generation has taken so active a part in 
the affairs of the town, he having served on the Board 
of School Committee about a quarter of a century, and 
constantly linked his name with the History of Danvers. 
Besides these, the following gentlemen have taken a tem- 
porary residence in this town. George Lamson, John 
Walsh, Benjamin Tucker, Benj. L. Oliver, Edward Lan- 



m 



)Y Jr., &c. 



PHYSICIANS. 



Previous to the incorporation of Danvers as a town, 
the physicians who practised here were mostly from Sa- 
lem. Probably Jonathan Prince who lived on Inger- 
soll Hill, was the first resident physician. He was fath- 
er of Capt. Asa Prince, and great grandfather of Rev. 
John Prince, now of Danvers. He was a pupil of Dr. 
Toothaker of Billerica, and preceptor of Drs. Amos 
Putnam and Samuel Holten. See the biography of 
the latter. Amos Putnam was a Surgeon in the 
French War, at the close of which, and for half of a 
century after, he practised medicine in his native town. 
He was a Justice of the Peace. A Dr. Chickering 
from Andover resided here about a year, commencing 
in 1793. Parker Cleveland father of the Professor 

i^—= m 



152 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. f 

of that name was here from 1796 to 1798. Joseph 
Osgood commenced practice in 1773, and remained 
12 years, when he removed into Salem, retaining how- 
ever a large practice in South Danvers until his death, 
which was in 1809 or 10. A Dr. Kutting was here 
from 1791 to '99, and a David Hildreth about the 
same time. Joseph Torrey succeeded Dr. Cleveland, 
and remained from 1800 to 1820. He now resides in 
Beverlj. Archelaus Putnam was a distinguished 
physician who flourished 75 years since. He gradua- 
ted in 1763. A Dr. Bowers lived here about two 
years about the year 1800. He conducted a small pox 
Hospital. James Putnam a son of Amos, practised 
30 years previous to 1812. K Dr. Carleton settled 
at New Mills about 1823. Besides these there have 
been Drs. Clapp, Cilley, Little^ Peabody, Gould, 
Porter, (now of Wenham,) Busn, Patten, and per- 
haps others. Edward Southwick practised two years 
in partnership with Andrew Nichols^ when he removed 
to Yassalboro' Maine, and devoted the remainder of 
his life to manufacturing and mercantile pursuits. 

The resident phvsicians are George Osgood, who 
settled in 1807; Joseph Shed 1807; Andrew Nich- 
ols 1808; Joseph Osgood 1827 ; Ebenezer Hunt 
1823; David A. Grosvenor 1839; S. A. Lord 
1847. 

Dr. Nichols has published '^An Address before Jor- 
dan Lodge, Dec. 25, 1811 ;" "Address before the 
Danvers Society for suppressing Intemperance, April 
27, 1819;" An Agricultural Address 1820; "The 
Spirit of Freemasonry a Poem., 1831 ;" and the annual 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 153 

address before the Massachusetts Medical Society in 
1836. Dr. Hunt pubhshed an address delivered before 
the Danvers Society for suppressing Intemperance 
April 25th, 1827. He has in his possession a set of 
the once renowned "Metallic Tractors," ^Yhich were 
supposed to possess such marvellous virtues in extracting 
pain. They were purchased at New Mills by a general 
subscription, headed by Israel Hutchinson, some sixty 
years ago. 

WRECK OF THE GLIDE. 

May 21st, 1829, the ship Glide, 300 tons, Henry 
Archer, Master, sailed from Salem for Fijii Islands, 
for a cargo of bich-de-lamar, turtle shell and sandal 
wood. She had twenty-two hands all told, and on her 
passage out, took in others to make her complement fifty. 
William Endicott, Henry Fowler and Leonard Poole 
were from Danvers. Sept. 17th, 118 days from Sa^ 
lem, the ship touched at New Zealand, from thence to 
the Tongataboo Islands, and from tlience to the Fijii 
Islands, were it arrived Oct, 9th. After five months 
a cargo was secured, which was carried to the East In- 
dies, and sent home. The ship returned to the Islands, 
obtained a part of a cargo, during which time two men 
were slain by the natives, and March 22d, 1831, in a 
dreadful gale the vessel was wrecked, and the cargo 
lost. All hands reached the shore in safety, except 
Henry Fowler, who had an arm broken. Here, among 
these ferocious cannibals, they suflfered a variety of 
hardships, and incurred many risks of limb and life. 
Fowler was much honored by these grim savages, and 



154 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

tliev tattoed him, to manifest their regard for him. Af- 
ter a variety of adventures the crew bj different means 
arrived home in the year 1832, except Mr. Fowler, who 
reached home Aug. 9, 1833, after an absence of 4 
years and 2 months. Their adventures huve been par- 
tially recorded in a work styled the " Wreck of the 
Glide. ^^ Famished hy Henry Fowler. 

ACQUEDUCT. 

The Salem and Danvers Aqueduct Company was in- 
corporated March 9th, 1797, with a capital of $60,000. 
It supplies water from original fountains near Brown's 
Pond. The shares in this company are four dollars for 
each family of three members, and fifty cents for each 
additional member, annually. This acqueduct is of far 
more value to Salem than to Danvers, which is blessed 
with wells of excellent water. Three conductors lead 
through the South Parish, and supply that village and 
Salem with pure water. 

MILITARY. 

There have always been liberal efforts made to sus- 
tain the military in this town. The Danvers Light In- 
fantry is a company of soldiers yet in existence, un- 
der command of Asa W. Sawyer ; and in former years 
there was a fine Artillery Company. Though there is 
some lack of military organization, yet the people have 
shown in times past that if there should be a call upon 
them, they would be first and foremost in a struggle for 
freedom. 

POPULATION. 

In the year 1040 there were about 100 people in 



m.. 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 



155 



that part of Salem now called Danvers. The popula- 
tion in 1752, was 500 ; in 1783,1921; in 1800, 2643; 
in 1810, 3127; in 1820, 3646; in 1830, 4228; in 1840, 
5020. 

The following table gives the number of inhabitants, 
with their ages, for the year 1840. 



Year 


s. 


Males. 


Females. 


Total. 


and 


5 


389 


363 


752 


5 " 


10 


268 


249 


517 


10 ''- 


15 


242 


23T 


479 


15 " 


20 


262 


224 


486 


20 " 


30 


509 


487 


996 


30 " 


40 


358 


382 


740 


40 " 


50 


213 


200 


413 


50 " 


60 


119 


148 


267 


60 '' 


70 


81 


125 


206 


70 " 


80 


47 


80 


127 


80 '•' 


90 


11 


21 


32 


90 " 


100 


2 


2 


4 


Over 100 




1 




1 



2502 



2518 



5020 



There were no colored persons residing within the lim- 
its of the town in 1840. There were 13 pensioners, 
3 deaf mutes, 1 blind person, 2 idiots, and not one 
over 20 years of age who could neither read nor write. 
Since 1840 the children between 4 and 16 years of age 
have increased from 1250, to 1700. Taking this in- 
crease as a datum for estimating the entire population 
of the town, it is more than probable that it would num- 
ber at least 6,500, for the year 1847. 



156 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

BIRTHS AXD MARRIAGES, &C. 

Birtlis, 1844, 159, 1845, 194, 1846, 20 8. 

Marriages, " 51, " 50, " 61. 
Deaths, " 86, " 89, " 97. 

i NEWSPAPERS. 

I The Firefly/ barely sparkled on the night of March 

t 9th, 1844, since which time it has " rayed out dark- 
ness." It was about the size of two leaves of Web- 

I ster's Spelling Book. 

The Danvers Eagle was a very spirited sheet, con- 
ducted by Samuel T. Damon, and published from Aug. 

: 28th, 1844, to April 16th, 1845. 

TJie Danvers Whig was pubUshed during the Elec- 

: tion campaign of 1844. 

I The Danvers Courier^ a well conducted paper, edi- 
ted by George R. Carlton, was established March 15 th 

! 1845, at §1 50 per annum. 

I GRAVEYARDS. 

I Probably no town in Massachusetts possesses so many 
I graveyards as Danvers. In former days, it was the 
I custom for each family, or at the most, for two or three 
j families, to have a Uttle spot in which to deposite the 
departed. Thus these cities of the dead were multi- 
plied constantly until in all, the number has swelled to 
I about one hundred. Bat there are several places be- 
; sides these, — public burial grounds which seem worthy 
I of remembrance. 

I The Eiidicott G-ravegard, is situated near the 
I former residence of the Governor. This is a very old 



r HISTORY OF DANVERS. lb 



spot, and contains the last remains of many of the des- 
cendants of Gov. John Endicott. There are now but 
seventeen headstones standing, although there are many 
who rest with no stone to indicate name or character. 
Descendants of the Gov. according to the gravestones, 
as far back as the third Generation repose in this vener- 
able spot. The oldest date is 1T23. Doubtless there 
are many who were buried here previously, but who 
they were, we seek in vain to discover. The yard is 
surrounded by a five railed fence. 

The Wadsivorth Burying G-round is located near 
the ancient Salem Village. It includes somewhat more 
than one acre of land, and is prettily embelUshed with a 
number of trees, the growth of a recent day. Many of 
the stones are so old and moss-grown, and in some cases 
so gnawed by the tooth of Time, as to render the in- 
scriptions totally illegible. A great multitude of graves 
are not designated, except by mounds of turf. Among 
others there is a stone above the remains of Elizabeth 
Parris, the wife of Rev, Samuel Parris, dated A. D. 
1696, bearing the following inscription : 

''Elizabeth Parris, Aged about 48 years. Deed. July 
14, 1696. 

Sleep precious Dust, no Stranger now to Rest, 
Tliou hast thy hmged within Abraham's Brest, 
Farewell Best Wife, Choice Mother, Neighbor, Friend ; 
We'll weep the less for hopes of thee i' the end. s. p."' 

The oldest inscription reads : 

'' Here Lyes ye Body of Elizabeth, ye AYife of Jon- 
athan Putnam, aged about 22 years. Deceased ye 
8th of August, 1682." 



158 HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 

The following curious epitaph is on the tombstone of 
Dr. Archelaus Putnam, who was buried in the year 
1800: 

" Depart my friends, dry up yom tears. 
Here I must lie till Christ appears. 
For Death's a debt to Nature due. — 
I've paid the debt and so must you." 

The Old South Burying Groimcl is on Pool's Hill, 
in the \dllage of South Danvers, near the Salem line, 
and is the oldest in that village. It contains a very 
large number of graves. ]Most of those who have died 
in that portion of Danvers have been consigned to this 
Golgotha. The oldest stone bears the following legend : 

" Here Lyes interred ye Body of Mr. Thomas Pier- 
pont, M. A., second son of yePtev. Mr. Jonathan Pier- 
pont late of Reading." 

It bears date of 1755, but the remainder of the in- 
scription is illegible. Rev. Nathan Holt and Rev. 
Samuel AValker lie here, both pastors of the Second 
Congregational Church, the one buried in 1T92 and the 
other in 1826. In 1787, Miss Sally Cook was deposit- 
ed here, and the folloAving record speaks from her 
monument : 

*' Death thou hast conquered me, 

I by thy dart am slain ; 
But Christ shill conquer thee. 

And I shall rise again." 

Another singular epitaph reads thus : " What epi- 
taph is wanted, when affection has enshrined the mem- 
ory ?" Besides these and many others worthy of men- 
tion, may be found the graves of Eliza Wharton and 
Denuison AYalhs, mentioned in another place. The 



HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 159 

land was originally given by Lydia Trask to the South 
Parish. 

The Plains Grraveyard is situated on the edge of 
the Plains village, and is surrounded with a white mor- 
tared wall. It is pleasantly adorned with trees. It 
contains a large number of the graves of those who 
have laid aside the load of Life in its vicinity. The 
names recorded indicate that they were once the friends 
of those who now remain in the Village and its envi- 
rons. There are several old graves unmarked by any 
stone ; the stones are dated from 1788 to the present 
time. Among other persons once^distinguished in the 
town the stony lips of the monumental marble utter 
the following inscription : 

"Sacred to the Memory of John Jossclyn, who died 
Sept. 18, 1845, xiged 84. He was a soldier of the 
American Revolution and emphatically an Honest 
Man." 

There is also a beautiful marble monument here, 
about 8 feet in height, erected by Benj. Porter, Esq., 
above the remains of his ancestors and relatives, 

Gardyier^s Hill was the name of a place of burial 
once situated a little westerly of Grove Street. The 
remains of about 150 persons were removed from 
thence to Harmony Grove, when the latter was estab- 
lished in 1840. The oldest grave-stone in Danvers is 
standing in Harmony Grove to which place it was re- 
moved from Gardner's Hill. It bears the following in- 
scription : 

1669 

R. B. 



160 HISTORY OP DANYERS. 

It is probably the grave-stone of Robert Buffum of 
Danvers. 

Tapleyville Burying Ground, is a small yard near 
the village from which it derives its name. The oldest 
tombstone is erected above the remains of Mrs. Lydia 
Kettell daughter of Hon S. Hoi ten, and bears the date 
of 1789. The remains of Hon. Judge Holten are de- 
posited here, whose gravestone is inscribed thus : 
''Erected to the memory of the Hon. Samuel Holten 
who died Jan. 2d, 1816 aged 78 years. He sustained 
various offices of trust under the State Government 
and that of the Union, with ability and integrity, to 
the almost unanimous acceptance of his constituents." 
Among other very beautiful and expressive epitaphs, 
the following is rarely equalled, for the calm trust and 
confidence it breathes. The grave is that of a child; 
the motto is : 

"Our Father's care 
This little dust shall keep." 

Monumental Cemetery, in South Danvers, was laid 
out in 1833. It is divided into 122 lots, 32 feet by 
16, with regular avenues, and is owned by proprietors* 
It is a beautiful and commodious Cemetery. The old- 
est stone bears the date of 1805. There are many 
very beautiful tomb stones inscribed with sentiments 
expressive of hope, love, and trust. " Her sun has 
gone down while it was yet day," is the affecting in- 
scription above the ashes of a young woman. Perhaps, 
however, simplicity and sentiment are not often so well 
exhibited, as in the epitaph of Benjamin Gile. " I 
^& ^ 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 161 

taught little children to read," is the message he left 
upon his tombstone. 

Harmony Crrove. This beautiful City of the Dead 
(though it lies in Salem, is partially owned by our cit- 
izens,) has one of its entrances from Danvers, and was 
originally granted to the city of Salem by this town. 
There are monuments here of every style, from the 
plainest slab to the choicest specimen of art. 

Walnut Grove Cemetery, May 1st 1810 a call was 
issued signed by Henry Fowler, asking a meeting of 
those citizens of North Danvers in favor of laying out 
a cemetery. A meeting was held, an association w^as 
formed for the purpose, and tv>'elve acres of land were 
purchased of Hon. Samuel Putnam. The grounds have 
been arranged w^ith a refined taste, and Walnut Grove 
Cemetery was incorporated in October 1843. June 
23d 1841, it was consecrated by an address from Rev. 
Dr. Brazer of Salem, and prayers by Revs. S. C. Bulke- 
ly and J. W. Eaton of Danvers, and hymns by Drs. 
Nichols, Barstow and Ehnt. 

It is a beautiful retreat adorned with those rural 
and artificial attractions which the genius of a better 
age, and more pleasant views of Death have thrown 
around the Home of the Departed. The owners have, in 
addition to the Walnut, Beech and other trees and shrubs 
of native growth, planted a great variety of exotic 
flowers and shrubbery, and thus rendered the grave as 
it should be esteemed, "the very gate of Heaven." In 
former days the graveyard w^as selected for its barren- 
ness and sterility. It was usually a wild waste of land 

3 14 r 



162 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

on which no fl)wer bloomed, no green tree cast its grate- 
ful shade. At the most "the rank thistle nodded in 
the wind," and the lizard or snake, glided among nettles 
and poisonous weeds. The voices of birds were im- 
I heard. Solitude was there, brooding over a cheerless 
desert. Here all this has passed away. The dark 
walnut and evergreen stands as sentinels around the 
spot, side by side with the oak and beech. Sweet 
scented shrubbery invites the visitor, and the pretty 
band of the flowers throw, out their graceful arms and 
bid him welcome. When Death leads one of our num- 
ber to this spot, he can look forward with bright antic- 
ipation to the Beautiful Land of which this is the 
threshold, and can lay his head upon the cool moist 
mould without a murmur, feeling that he shall sleep 
with the beauties of Nature around him, and that while 
the woods shall chaunt their solemn anthems over him, 
and the birds join with their plaintive lays, the feet of 
kindred and friends will often press the sod above him, 
and their tears mingle with the kindly dews that fall 
upon his grave. 

There is a fine grave-yard of modern date near 
Rocks village, opposite Smith's Tavern in Salem. 

THE MONUMENT 

In memory of one-seventh of those who fell at Lex- 
ington, stands near the site of the Bell Tavern in 
I South Danvers. 

I It is built of hewn sienite, surrounded by an iron 
! railing. It is 22 feet high, and 7 feet broad at the 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 163 

base, and cost $1,000. The inscription is on Italian 
marble as follo-sYs: 

"Battle of Lexington April 19th, 1775. Samuel 
Cook aged 33 years; Benj. Daland 25 ; George South- 
wick 25 ; Jotham Webb 22 ; Henry Jacobs 22 ; Eb 
enr. Goldthwaite 22 ; Perly Putnam 21 ; Citizens of 
Danvers fell on that day. 

Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. 

reverse 

Erected by Citizens of Danvers on the 60th 
Anniversary 1835." 

The following is a summary account of the celebra- 
tion, with the names of the committee of arrangements, 
building committee, &c. By Hon. D. P. King. 

"On Monday, April 20, 1835, the 60th anniversary 
of the battle of Lexington was celebrated at Danvers, 
by the laying of the Corner Stone of a monument in 
memory of the seven citizens of the town, who were 
slain in that battle. At 10 o'clock, a procession of rev- 
olutionary patriots, and citizens of Danvers and vicini- 
ty, was formed in the square fronting the Old South 
Meeting House, under the direction of the marshals of 
the day — escorted by the Danvers Light Infantry, un- 
der Capt. WilHam Sutton, and the Danvers Artillery, 
Capt. A. Pratt, with a full band of music — and pro- 
ceeded through Main street to the burial ground, where 
lie the remains of several of the slain ; — three volleys 
of musketry were fired over their graves : — the proces- 
sion then countermarched to the Eagle Corner, where 



164 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

the monument is to be erected. The order of services 
was then announced by John W. Proctor, Esq. Rev. 
Mr. Sewall offered prayers — Gen. Foster, with the sur- 
viving officers and soldiers of the Revolution, proceed- 
ed to place the Corner Stone, in which was deposited a 
box, containing the memorials of the times, &c. Gen. 
Foster then addressed his fellow citizens. After the 
Corner Stone was laid, the tune of Aidd Lang Syne 
was performed by the Band, and the procession march- 
ed, under a salute of 24 guns from the artillery, and the 
ringing of the bells, to the Old South Church — where, 
sixty years before, religious services were held at the 
interment of four of the young men who were slain at 
Lexington. , This spacious Church was crowded in ev- 
ery part, and hundreds were unable to gain admittance. 
The following was the order of services; — 1. 100th 
Psalm — tune, Denmark. 2. Hymn, by R. S. Daniels. 
3. Prayer, by Rev, Geo. Cowles. 4. Hymn, by F. 
Pool, jun. 5. Address, by D. P. King, Esq. 6. Pat- 
riotic Ode, by Jona. Shove. 7. Concluding Prayer, by 
Rev. J. M. Austin. At the close of the services at 
the church, J. W. Proctor, Esq. presented and read to 

\ the audience the original, honorable discharge of J. B. 
Winchester, Esq. from the revolutionary army, (having 
served six years and four months, till the close of the 
war,) bearing the original signature oi " G-eorge WasJi- 

\\ ington.^^ Mr. Winchester entered the continental ar- 
my at the age of 14 : and when discharged, he was only 
21 years of age. Nineteen survivors of the Lexington 
fight and of the revolutionary army , (who occupied a num 
ber of the pews in front of the pulpit,) greatly height- 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 165 

ened the interest of the occasion by their appearance. 
After the services at the church, a procession was form, 
ed, and escorted by the Danvers Light Infantry to the 
Essex Coffee House, where about two hundred, includ- 
ing the above officers and soldiers of the revolution, 
partook of a collation, prepared by Mr. Benja. Good- 
ridge. At the close of the collation, several patriotic 
sentiments and toasts were given by the revolutionary 
patriots and the company present. 

"The occasion will long be remembered, — as calcula- 
ted to deepen our feelings of veneration for the events 
commemorated — for the exercise of generous feelings in 
the discharge of an honor due to the glorious dead, — and 
the ceremonies of the day will remind us of our obli- 
gations to those who spilled their blood in the first offer- 
ing at the shrine of Liberty. 

'' Committee of Arrangements — Jona. Shove, chair- 
man; Robert S. Daniels, Geo. Osborne, Caleb Lowe, 
Fitch Pool, jun., Hemy Po^r, Nathan Lakeman, Josh- 
ua H. Waid. 

^'Building Coinmittee — Eben Sutton, Augustus K. 
Osborne, Daniel P. King, Eben Shillaber, John Whit- 
ney. 

''Projector of the Monument — JohnL^pton. 

''Architect — Asher Benjamin. 

"Marshals — Col. Caleb Lowe, chief marshal ; Al- 
fred Putnam, Eben Sutton, Hiram Preston, Benj. 
Wheeler, Wm. D. Joplin, Ricnard Osborne, Samuel P. 
Fowler, Jona. King, Elijah W. Upton. 

"There were twenty-nine individuals, — survivors of 



166 HISTORY OF DANVERS. f 

the Lexington fight and of the revolution ary army, in 
vited to attend this celebration, — nineteen of whom 
were present. The following are those from Danvers : 
Gideon Foster, Sylvester Osborne, Johnson Proctor, 
Levi Preston, Asa Tapley, Roger Nourse, Joseph Shaw, 
John Joscelyn, Ephraim Smith, Jonathan Porter, Joseph 
Tufts, William Flint.'' 

THE BELL TAVERN 

was once a famous "hostelrie" situated on the great 
thoroughfare from the East and North to Boston. "Long 
before their separation from the mother country, the 
colonists in their various wanderings, sought this place 
for shelter and refreshment ; and right glad was the jolly 
host to fulfil the promise of his signboard, ''Entertainment 
for man and beast." Nor to the wayfarer alone was its 
promise extended. This was the common centre of re- 
sort for the villagers to learn the news of passing events 
and every traveller was expected to furnish his quota. 
It was the village Exchange, where prices and every 
day gossip were discussed, and the public affairs of the 
colonies and the mother country settled. Here too, on 
Sundays, tho more remote villagers dismounted from 
their beasts at the old horse-block, and walked to the 
meeting-house, again to return after the two hours ser- 
mon and partake in a snug corner, of a dinner from their 
well filled saddlebags. This was also the place, where 
the people of that and later times met, to celebrate public 
events. The loyal neighbors here collected to mourn 
t'le demise of the good Queen Anne and rejoice in the 
accession of the first George. His departure and the 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 167 

rise of his son George II, were here commemorated 
over the same bowl of punch. George III, was also 
welcomed with a zeal that was only equalled by that 
with which they drank confusion to his ministers. The 
odious Stamp Act and all Parliament taxes on the colo- 
nies were patriotically denounced. Tea was proscribed 
and its sale forbidden, under penalty of a ride on a rail 
and the brand of torj^ism. One conviction only took 
place, and the unlucky wight obtained a reprieve from 
his sentence, by furnishing the villagers with a bucket 
of punch. His neighbors kindly gave him a share of 
the beverage, obliging him to repeat over his cup three 
times, the following elegant couplet : — 

I, Isaac Wilson, a tory I be ; 
I, Isaac Wison, I sells tea, 

^'But our ancestors, however willing from patriotic con- 
siderations to deny themselves this luxury, found great 
difficulty in preventing the gentler sex from partaking 
of the forbidden fruit. They found means to procure 
and opportunities to prepare their favorite nectar, in 
spite of all the vigilance of the men. They would 
evade every searchiag operation, get up quiltings and 
other parties, where it was not expected men would be 
present, and sip their stolen waters in secret. 

"It was well known at the tap-room of the Bell Tavern 
that these proceedings were going on, and it was strong- 
ly suspected that a certain eraormous coffee pot, a few 
sizes smaller than a common light-house, had some agen- 
cy in the business, as it was seen migrating from place 
to place where the good dames held their meetings. 



i 



168 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

One evening a large party assembled at the house of 
one of their number; taking advantage of the Tvell 
known habits of the mastei" of the house, who was never 
known to quit his seat at the ample fire-place of the inn 
until all his companions had departed, they resolved to 
enjoy their usual feast in security. The great coffee 
pot, in which the tea had been previously put was brought 
forward, the water added, and the whole left to simmer on 
the hearth. The savory mess was now poured out, with 
many a sly joke at the expense of the men in general 
and a compliment to Isaac in particular. Many were 
the enconiums on the superioritj^ of the tea, which ev- 
ery one declared vras the best she had ever drank. It 
was finally thought that its strength and flavor were ow- 
ing to its having been boiled and steeped longer than 
usual. Its extraordinary richness was almost intoxica- 
ting ; tongues were loosened, and mirth and hilarity pre- 
vailed. Their wits ran out and so did the tea. More 
water was added to the leaves, and a weaker decoction 
was drawn, until again the vessel was empty. A third 
time the water was poured in and the tea ran out. The 
time had now nearly arrived when by possibility the good 
man of the house might be expected home, and it Avas 
time to put the coffee grounds into the coffee pot, but 
first a place of burial must be made in the tan back log 
for the remains of the tea. The lid was removed, and 
by a dexterous jerk the contents, consisting not only of 
tea leaves but a huge overgrown toad^ speckled and bloat- 
ed, lay sprawling before them on the hearth ! A simul- 
taneous scream from twenty female voices, accompanied 
by the heaving of as many stomachs, announced the 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 169 

appalling discovery, and sufficiently explained the cause 
of the peculiar richness of their beverage. It is said 
that the discovery accomplished the effects that are said 
to have been produced by Chambers's medicine on anoth 
er class of drinkers, and that for some time after, tea 
v^'as less in demand than it was ever before kno^Yn in 
the village. 

"Here congregated the village politicians and other 
loafers of the Middle Precinct. How they watched the 
glowing embers where the loggerheads were heating, as 
they consulted over the public welfare, and with what 
pertinacity did they adhere to their arguments and their 
mugs of flip! What floods of ale and oceans of punch 
there flowed to enliven the wits of the jolly roystei-s on 
Election days. With what zest did they sail up and 
down the merry dance in the South room, to the music 
of Ciiesar's fiddle, and with what gusto would he grin a 
ghastly smile as he deposited the shower of silver 
pieces in his capacious mouth." Fitch Pooh. 

Francis Symonds, at one time the jolly host, sported 
a wooden bell for his sign, and informed the people of 
his good cheer by the following strain : 

"Frnncis Symonds Makes and Sells 
The best of Chocolate, also Shells. 
I'll toll you in if you liave need, 
And feed you well, and bid you speed."' 

Here was a printing office, in which Amos Pope's Al- 
mananacs, a Price current for Wenham, and certain 
other documents were printed. I have also seen a work 
entitled ''An account of the captivity and sufferings of 
Elizabeth Hanson wife of John Hanson, who was taken 



ITO 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 



prisoner by the Indians," which account was published 
at the Bell Tavern in 1780. Mr. Russell the printer 
afterwards removed to Boston. 




EH 

O 
ft 

O 



NOTE TO PAGE 146. 

The first Schoolmaster at the New Mills was Caleb 
Clark who kept his school in the house of farmer Porter, 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 171 

which stood a few years since, where Mr. William Al- 
ley's house now stands. This place afforded but poor 
accomodations for a school. The benches for writing, 
were nothing more than a board placed upon two flour 
barrels. The writing books were a single sheet of pa- 
per, bought from time to time, as was needed. 

"Mr. Clark was a teacher of some repute for those 
days, although he was not considered a great discipli- 
narian. He was in the habit of wliittlins: a shin£!;le in 

O CD 

school, and for small offences, compelling the disobedi- 
ent to pile the w^hittlings in the middle of the room ; 
when this was accomplished, he would kick them over, 
to be picked up again. He w^ould sometimes require 
them to watch a wire, suspended in the room, and in- 
fo rm him when a fly alio-hted on it. For greater of- 
fences, he would sometimes attempt to frighten them 
into obedience, by putting his shoulder under the man- 
tel piece, and threaten to throw the house down upon 
them. It is said of this worthy pedagogue, when 
deeply engaged in a mathematical problem, that he 
became so absorbed in the work as to be wholly uncon- 
scious of any thing transpiring around him, and the 
boys taking advantage of this habit would creep out of 
school and skate and slide by the hour together." Fur- 
nished hy S. P. Foivler. 

CHAPTER VII. 

BIOGRAPHIES. 

John Endicott or Endecott, the first governor of 
Massachusetts, was born in Dorchester, Dorsetshire, 



' 172 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. ' 

, ■ — ' I 

i England, in the year 1588, and was from liis youth a I 
! firm dissenter. He imbibed a desire for religious liber- \ 
' ty very early, and when the project of colonizing the | 
! New World was started, he was one of the first to assist j 
i the enterprise, which he did with great ardor. His j 
j first wife, whose maiden name was Gower, he married ! 
j in England. In June 1628, he embarked at Wey- i 
I mouth for America, in the ship Abigail. He arrived I 
j at Salem Nov. 6th, and April 19th, 1629 he was ap- 
pointed Governor. His wife died in the course of a j 
year after his arrival, and he married Elizabeth Gibson, | 
in 1630. He led a company of ninety m-en against 
thePequots in 1636. He was a member of the Cor. 
poration of Harvard University in 1642, and in 1644 
he was elected governor of Massachusetts, which oSce 
he held about fifteen years. 

He was a rigid disciplinarian, a man of strong feel- 
ings and passions, warm in his friendships, and severe 
wherever his indignation alighted. He was true to his 
impulses. When bethought the red cross in England's 
banner savored of idolatry, he unhesitatingly cut it out, 
though he knew he should thereby incur the charge 
of treason. He was admonished, and suspended from 
his office one year for the act. He became a convert 
to the " doctrine of veils," and strenuously endeavored 
to clothe the fair faces of the puritan maidens and mat- 
rons in a manner that should hide them from the rude 
gaze of men. He labored constantly to bring all into 
a harmony with himself, and sought to carry out his 
own ideas of worship, government, and manners. 

Four quakers were executed during his administration. 

_„_____„_ ' gjg 

• — ; -- .gg; 



HISTORY OP DANVERS. 173 | 

He was well qualified for tlie rough times in which he 
lived. He was not always as meek as he should have 
been, for, although a puritan and a Justice of the Peace, 
yet, on one occasion he struck "goodman Dexter," and 
though he acknowledged his error in striking one in Ms 
condition^ he added : "if he were a fit man for me to 
deal with at blows, I would not complain !'* 

"In his private and public relations he was a man of 
unshaken integrity. 'For my Country and my God,' 
was the motto inscribed upon his motives, purposes and 
deeds." He died March 15th, 1665, aged 77 years. 
He may be styled the Founder of Salem. 

Daniel Eppes^ "the greatest Schoolmaster in New 
England," the founder of the Eppes School in Salem, 
and the man for whom the celebrated Eppes Sweeting 
is named, was born October 28th, 1611. He commen- 
ced a grammar school in Salem, in the year 1671, and 
besides teaching he occasionally preached. April 7th, 
1677. "Voted by ye towne y* Mr. Daniell Epps is 
called to bee a grammar schoole master for y® towne, 
soe long as hee shall continue and performe y^ said 
place in y^ towne, prouided hee may haue w^ shall bee 
anually allowed him, not by a towne rate, butt in some 
other suteable way.'* 

June 28th. The selectmen "agreed with Mr. Eppes 

to teach all such scholars, as shall be sent to him from 

persons in town in y^ English, Latin and Greek tongue 

soe as to fit them for y*^ Yniuersity, if desired and they 

are capable; alsoe, to teach them good manners and 

instruct them in y^ principles of Christian Religion." 
<. 15 



m ^ " — -^ ^ 

HISTORY OF DANVERS. i 



fl74 



*'He is to receive for each scholar 20 | a year, and if i 
this is not enough to make £60, the selectmen will 
make up this sum ; or, if more than enough, to have it 
and the price of tuition for scholars out of town and a 
right to commonage, and he free from all taxes, train- 
ings, Avatchings and wardings. 

"Feb. 17th, 16T8, Mr Ei^pes had received from his 
scholars, towards a half year's salary £17 19 10. 
The balance he was to have from rent of certain com- 
raonSj of Baker's and Misery Islands, as the proportion 
from the town.'' Felt. 

He held many town and county offices, was a com- 
missioner of Excise, a Justice of the Peace, and of the 
Court of General Sessions, and Kepresentative to the 
General Court. He was much distinguished and reve- 
renced in all parts of Salem. He occupied the Derby 
Farm, where he died in the year 1722, aged 81 years. 

George BurroygJis, whose history is so intimately 
connected with the Tragedy of 1692, was probably a son 
of Jeremiah Burroughs, and was born in Scituate a- 
bout the year 1643, He graduated at Harv. college in 
1670^ and settled at Falmouth or Portland, Me., in 1676. 
He removed to Danvers in Nov. 1680, and in 1683 re- 
turned to Falmouth at which place he held 200 acres 
of land, 170 of which he relinquished at the request 
of his people. In 1690, when Falmouth was destroyed 
he returned to Danvers. He again removed to Port- 
land from which place he was torn, and executed Aug. 
19th 1692, on Gallows Hill, Salem. He seems to have 
been an unambitious, kind-hearted, amiable mauj and 



HISTORY OP DAN VERS. 175 



to have merited a better fate. Bentley supposes him to 
have been about 80 years of age, while he could have 
been no more than 50. As will be seen from the account 
of witchcraft, he was remarkable in an astonishing de- 
gree for his bodily powers. The names of his first two 
wives are unknown. His third was a daughter of Thom- 
as Ruck. His children were George who lived in Ips- 
wich ; Jeremiah who was insane ; Rebecca vvdio married 
a Tolman, of Boston ; Hannah who married a Fox, of 
Boston; Elizabeth who married Peter, an ancestor of 
Isaiah Thomas L. L. D. of Worcester. Some of his 
descendants lived in jSTewburyport. WilHs in his histo- 
ry of Portland says of him : "There has nothing sur- 
vived Mr. Burroughs, either in his living or dying, that 
casts any reproach upon his character, and, although 
he died a victim of a fanatacism, as wicked and as 
stupid as any which has been countenanced in civilized 
society, and which for a time prejudiced his memory, 
yet his character stands redeemed in a more enlight- 
ened age from any blemish." See witchcraft. 

Samuel P arris son of Thomas Parris of London, 
was born in London in 1653. He was a member of 
Harvard College, but left without graduating, and en- 
tered the mercantile profession. When about 36 years 
of age he entered the ministry, and was settled as pas- 
tor of the Village Church in 1689. In 1691 he ob- 
tained a lot of land and parsonage buildings from the 
parish. He desired that this estate should be given him 
in fee simple, and the refusal of a portion of the people 
to consent, created the germ of the evil that subse- 



176 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

quently sprouted out into the most baneful results. He 
was an avaricious, arbitrary, officious man, and offend- 
ed those he would have controlled. He left his charge 
in 1696, and removed from the town in the year fol- 
lowing. He lived in Concord in 1704, in Dunstable 
in 1711 and died in Sudbury. The course he took in 
the Great Delusion, in being chief Avitness against ac- 
cused persons, in whipping his daughter and servant in- 
to confessions of guilt, when they afterwards declared 
their innocence, and in holding wide the sluice ways 
through which so much evil flowed upon the people, 
must render his character forever odious, notwithstand- 
ing the extenuating circumstances of his condition. 

Thomas Nelson was born in Norwich, England, in 
June 1661. His life was replete with adventure. He 
was a soldier under King William, and was in the army 
which fought against James II in Ireland. He was 
with Sir Cloudesly Shovel in the celebrated siege of 
Barcelona, and was in the Canadian expedition in this 
country in 1711, at about which year he settled in Dan 
vers. During all this tim.e he was never wounded. 
His numerous hardships did not deprive him of health 
and strength; he was upright, in the possession or his 
faculties, with the exception of the sight of one eye, and 
so strong as to be a match for any of his neighbors even 
to the day of his death, which was in November 1774, 
at the advanced age of 113 years. He walked from 
his home to Salem but a few days before his death, a 
distance of three miles. 



M 



HISTORY OF DxiNVERS. 177 

Joseph G-reen was born Nov. 5tli, 1675 and gradu- 
ated at Harvard in 1695. He married Elizabeth, 
daughter of Rev. Mr. Gerrish gf Wenham. He be- 
came pastor of the Village Church in 1697, and during 
his ministry he instituted the Half AVay Covenant, and 
baptized 103 adults and 528 children, and met with 
much success. He died Nov. 26th, 1715, aged 40 
years. He healed the breaches made by Mr Parris and 
was much lamented. The Church record declares 
him: "the choicest flower and goodliest tree in the gard- 
en of our God." His remains are in the Villa2;e Bur- 
rial Ground, and a Latin inscription partially effaced is 
above him. Several attempts at decyphering produce 
the following : 

Sub Hoc Cesp * 
Requiescam in Spe Beate Be * 

Reliquiae Reverend D. Josephus Green A. M. 
Hujusce Ecclesiae * « * * Spacum 
Pastoris * * * * 

Turn Gravitate Doctrina 
Glai Dec * * 

Calecdo * * * Yiom MDCCXV 
Implo * * * Q,uadragesimum; 

Benjamin Prescott was born Sept. 16th 1687. He 
graduated at Harvard University in 1709, married a 
daughter of John Higginson, and was settled as minis- 
ter of the second parish in 1712. He published in 17- 
68 "A free and calm consideration of the unhappy mis- 
understanding and debates between Great Britain and 
the American Colonies." He left his charge in the year 
1752 and died about the year 1770. He was a man 
of talent," an excellent pastor, and during the forty 



m 



^- ___ 

178 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 



years he ministered to the second parish he was faithful 
in his caUing. He published among other pamphlets a 
"Letter to the First Church in Salem in 1735," and a 
"Right Hand of Fellowship" delivered at the Ordina- 
tion of Rev. J. Sparhawk. 

Peter Clarke was bom in Watertown in the year 
1692, and graduated at Harvard College in the year 
1712. He married Deborah Hobart of Braintree. 
In the year 1758 he published a "Summer morning 
conversation between a minister and a neighbor," in re- 
ply to something written by Dr. Charles Chauncy. 
Considerable of a controversy grew out of the matter 
between Dr. Chauncy and Mr. Clark. He settled as 
minister of the First parish June 5th, 1717, and died 
June 10th, 1768, with his harness on, after a ministry 
in one parish of fifty-one years. His remains he in the 
old Village graveyard. There is an anecdote related 
of him which is somewhat amusing. One summer there 
had been a severe drought, and the ministers of the 
vicinity had made the matter a subject of public prayer. 
Mr. Clarke had delayed petitioning in reference to it, 
until some of his people began to complain. At length 
he prayed on the subject, and before he had finished his 
services there came a copious shower. "Ah !" said an 
old negro belonging to the minister, "I knew when Mas- 
sa Clark took hold, that something would have to come." 
In the record of his funeral, it is said that the "church 
walked before, assisted by 12 hears.'"' He admitted 
in his ministry of 51 years, 309 persons into his 
church, and baptized 46 adults, and 1226 children. 



HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 179 

He continued to preach after his bodily powers were 
unable to sustain him, and was often obliged to sit down 
for rest in the course of public services. It is related 
of him that on these occasions his deacons would hasten 
to the pulpit to ascertain the matter, for which officious- 
ness he would reprimand them, as it imphed a distrust 
of his ability. 

"He wrote several works ; one in defence of original 
sin, and another in favor of infant baptism, 453 pp, 
12mo. He held a controversy with Dr. Gill and Dr. 
Chauncy. He delivered the Dudleian lecture in 1763, 
Artillery sermon in 1739, a sermon entitled Witness 
of the Spirit in 1744, Charge at the ordination of T. 
Hmitington, &c. 

Israel Putnam, General Putnam, or as he was fa- 
miharly called by the soldiers, (who idolized him,) " Old 
Put'''' was born in Danvers, in the house now occupied 
by Daniel Putnam, January 7th, 1718. He was de- 
scended from the original settlers of the town. John 
Putnam or, as the name was then called, Puttenham, 
was a native of Buckinghamshire, England, and remov- 
ed to Danvers in the year 1634. He had three sons, 
Thomas, Nathaniel and John. John had a son named 
Thomas, Thomas had a son named Joseph, who was the 
father of Israel. Israel was the eleventh child, and was 
baptized in the Village Church the second day of Feb- 
ruary. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Por- 
ter. His boyhood was distinguished for daring intrep- 
idity. 

There is a story related of his youth so admirably 



180 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

characteristic, that it may be related here. When he 
lived in the house now occupied by Mr. Daniel Putnam, 
he was on one occasion sent to a neighboring pasture to 
drive a bull down to the house. When he entered the 
field the bull ferociously attacked him. He returned 
home, and mounting a pair of spurs, sought his furi- 
ous enemy. Soon after re-entering the pasture he suc- 
ceeded in drawing his attention, and the bull gave him 
chase. He directed his flight around a large tree, pur- 
sued by his foe. Putnam gained in his flight on his 
enemy, and seizing the bull by the tail, he sprung 
on his back. Fairly mounted '4ie plunged the row- 
el in his steed.'' The animal rushed frantically into a 
bog near at hand, where he stuck fast. The hero dis- 
mounted, and sought his home. When asked concern- 
ing the bull, he said the last he saw of him he was in 
the meadow. The bull was found lodged fast in the 
meadow, groaning in anguish, with his sides lacerated 
by the punishment of Putnam's spurs. 

He was early distinguished for strength and forti- 
tude, and was desirous of accomplishing the labor of a 
man while yet a boy. In athletic exercises and sports, 
and in arduous labor, he laid the foundation of that 
vigor and power of endurance which distinguished his 
after years. 

At the age of twenty-one, he married Hannah Pope 
of Salem, and removed to Pomfret Conn. It was in 
this place that his famous adventure with the she-wolf 
occurred, and although it is well known, it may be in- 
terestins; to the reader to find it here. 

It seems that Putnam and his nei2:hbor3 were much 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 181 

troubled bj the depreclatious which a cunning old wolf 
committed on their flocks, killing and wounding seventy 
sheep and goats belonging to Putnam alone. At length 
the farmers assembled, and determined on the destruc- 
tion of their enemy. 

"Fortunately her track was easily recognised, a por- 
tion of one of her feet having been lost by an acciden- 
tal intimacy with a trap. Her pursuers were thus en- 
abled to trace her course to Connecticut River, and 
thence back again to Pomfret, when she took refuge in 
a cavern, near the residence of Putnam. The place 
was selected with great judgement to withtsand a siege; 
and very few persons beside himself could have been per- 
suaded to reconnoitre the position of its inmate. It is 
entered by an aperture about two feet square, on the 
side of a huge ledge of rock. The pathway descends 
fifteen feet obliquely from the entrance, then pursues a 
horizontal direction for ten feet, and thence ascends grad- 
ually about fifteen feet to its extremity; being in no 
part wider than three feet, nor high enough to permit a 
man to stand upright. The access to the interior is ren- 
dered very difficult in winter by the accummulation of 
ice and snow. 

'-'No time was lost by the confederates in devising va- 
rious methods of attack. A competent force of dogs 
was collected, with such munitions as were suited to 
this novel mode of warfare. But the hounds that en- 
tered the cave retired in great disgust, and could not be 
prevailed upon to repeat the experiment ; the smoke of 
blazing straw was ineffectual ; and the fumes of burn- 
ing brimstone which were expected to prove quite irre- 



182 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

sistible, wasted their sweetness in vain. This system of 
annoyance was continued through the day, until a late 
hour in the evening, when Putnam, weary of the unsuc- 
cessful efforts, endeavored to persuade his negro ser- 
vant to go into the cave ; a proposition which was de- 
clined ; and his master, after somewhat unreasonably 
reproaching' him with cowardice, resolved, against the 
earnest remonstrance of his neighbors, to undertake the 
enterprise himself. 

"He first procured some birch bark, to light his way 
and intimidate the wolf by its flame ; then threw aside 
his coat and vest, and, causing a rope to be secured to 
his legs, by which he might be drawn out at a con- 
certed signal, set fire to his torch, and groped his 
way into the cavern. At the extremity he saw the 
wolf, who welcomed her unexpected visitor with an 
ominous growl. His examination being now completed 
he gave the appointed signal ; and his companions, sup- 
posing from the sounds within, that the case must be an 
urgent one, drew him out so precipitately, that his clothes 
were torn to rags, and his body sorely lacerated. 

He now provided himself with a musket, and bearing 
it in one hand, and a lighted torch in the other, pro- 
ceeded a second time upon his perilous adventure, till 
he drew near the wolf. Just as she was on the point of 
springing, he took deliberate aim and fired ; then, stun- 
ned by the explosion, and almost suffocated by the 
smoke, -he was again drawn out as before. 

"After a brief interval, he entered the cavern for 
the third time, apphed his torch to the wolf, to satisfy 
himself that her repose was not affected, and seizing her 



HISTORY OF DANVEBS. 183 



^ 



by the ears, was drawn forth with his prize to the infi- 
nite satisfaction of the party." 

Universally known for a brave man, he was comman- 
der of a company in the French War. He distinguish- 
ed himself in feats of the utmost hardihood. On one 
occasion he went in company with Lieut. Robert Durkee 
to reconnoitre the position of the enemy near Ticonde- 
roga. The scouts, not being aware of the French cus- 
tom of placing their fires in the middle, and screening 
their sentinels in the darkness, were extremely incau- 
tious, and suddenly found themselves in the midst of the 
enemy's camp, and were fired upon. 

"They immediately began a retreat. Putnam led 
the way and in a few minutes fell head foremost into a 
clay-pit, follov^ed by Durkee who had kept closely at his 
heels. 

'* Supposing his companion in the pit to be one of his 
pursuers, Putnam had raised his arm to stab him, when 
he recognised Durkee's voice. Both then rushed from 
their retreat in the midst of a shower of bullets, and 
threw themselves behind a log, where they spent the 
remainder of the night. The next morning, Putnam, 
on examining his blanket, found it sorely rent by four- 
teen bullet holes." 

In the year 1757 he was appointed Major, in 1759 
Lieut.-Col., and in 1775 he held the rank of Brig, and 
Major Gen. 

When the news of the Battle of Lexington reached 
him, he was ploughing, and seizing his coat from a tree 
where it hung, he turned his horses loose, and leaving 
the plough in the furrow, he rushed to battle. He held 



184 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

the rank of Major General at the Battle of Bunker's 
hill, and displayed almost unexampled heroism. He or- 
dered his men to hold fire until they could see the white 
of the eyes of the men in the advancing columns. 
When they fired, they accomplished the most astonish- 
ing execution. The poet has said of him — 

"There strides bold Putnam and from all the plains 
Calls the tired host, the tardy rear sustains, 
And mid the whizzing deaths that fill the air, 
Waves back his sword and dares the following war." 

"In the winter of 1777-78, Gen. Putnam, who had 
been stationed at Reading, in Connecticut, was attacked 
by Gov. Tryon, with one thousand five hundred men. 
Putnam was then on a visit to his outpost, with a force 
of one hundred and fifty men, and two field pieces, 
without horses or drag ropes. He placed his cannon on 
the high ground near the meeting-house, and continued 
to pour in upon the advancing foe, until the enemy's 
horse appeared upon a charge. 

"He now hastily ordered his men to retreat to a 
neighboring swamp, inaccessible to horse, while he put 
spurs to his steed and plunged down nearly a hundred 
stone steps, which had been laid for the accommodation 
of the worshippers of the sanctuary. On the arrival 
of the dragoons at the brow of the hill they paused, 
thinking it too dangerous to follow the steps of the ad- 
venturous hero. Before any could go round the hill 
and descend, he escaped." He was at the conquest of 
Canada and at the capture of Havana. 

His wife died in 1761, leaving him ten children, 
and he married Widow Gardner of Gardner's Island. 



HISTOEY OF DANVEES. 185 

In the year 1T79, he had an attack of paralysis which 
disabled him from further service. He settled in 
Booklyn, Conn., where an inflammation destroyed his 
life, May 19th, 1790, aged 72 years. '' His name is 
carved high and indelibly in the temple of Fame, with 
that of Washington, Warren, Stark, Allen, Prescott 
and Lafayette." 

Asa Prince son of Dr. Jonathan, was at Lexington, 
at Bunker Hill, at Lake George, and sustained himself 
with courage and devotion to his country, through most 
of the revolution. He was promoted to the rank of Cap- 
tain, and manifested the traits which distinguish the 
Patriot and the Man. On the day of the battle of 
Bunker Hill, in attempting to cross the Neck which was 
swept by cannon from a British frigate in Charles River^ 
he dislocated his ancle and, seating himself on the 
ground, he thrust the bone back into the socket, and 
renewed his flight. 

Jeremiah Page was born in the year 1722, and on 
the breaking out of the Revolution he took a very act- 
ive part. He commanded a company of men at Lex- 
ington, and did good service on that important day. 
After a life of usefulness, during which he sustained a 
prominent position in the affairs of this town, he de- 
parted this mortal existence June 8th, 1806, aged 84 
years. His body lies in the Plains Burial Ground. 

Israel ITutcJiinson was born in Danvers in the year 
1727. At an early age he manifested in an uncom- 

? 16 



'186 HISTORY OF DANYERS. 



I 



mon degree tlie courage ■v^llich seems to have been the 
birthright of the people of his time. In the year 1757 
he joined a scouting party under Capt. Israel Herrick, 
and penetrated the country now included in the State of 
!Maine. During the following year he Avas appointed 
Lieut, in Capt. iVndrew Fuller's Company, and fought 
at Lake George and Ticonderoga. In the year 1759, 
he commanded a company of provincial troops, and 
was with Wolfe when he scaled the heights of Abra- 
ham, and routed the French under Montcalm. Be- 
fore hostilities commenced between North America and 
Great Britain, he was Captain of a company of sixty 
minute men, and when the news of the memorable 
battle of Lexington, reached Danvers, he instantly 
hastened to the scene of action, and meeting the ene- 
my on their retreat, he engaged them. His bravery 
and military skill were rewarded by a Lieut. Colonel's 
commission in Col. Mansfield's regiment, and soon af- 
ter he was made Colonel, which commission he held till 
the end of the term for which his men had engaged. 
During the same year ho enlisted 832 men. He was 
at the siege of Boston, and on the evacuation of that 
city by the British, he occupied Fort Hill. He re- 
mained there, and on Dorchester Heights until Octo- 
ber, when he was sent to New York, but as the small 
pox was in his vessel, Washington would not suifer his 
men to land. He afterwards commanded Fort Lee, 
and Fort YN^ashin^ton. He crossed the Delaware with 
Washington, in his retreat through New Jersey, and 
received for his services the approbation of the Father 
of his Country. On his return to his family he was 






HISTORY OF DANVERS. 187 

chosen to serve as Legislator, Tvliicli office, together 
with that of Councillor, he filled twenty-one years. 
He died March 16th, 1811, aged 8i years, leaving 
13 children, 118 grand children, and 7 of the fourth 
generation. He was a brave soldier and an ardent 
lover of his country. He had several conversations 
with Grov. Gage during his residence in the Colhns 
House, and exhibited to the Royal Governor that firm, 
inflexible love of liberty and determination to resist en- 
croachment which he afterwards displayed on the tent- 
ed field. His descendants now are numerous, and are 
scattered over the country in stations of usefulness. 



Enocli Patnam was born February 18th, 1732. He 
was andther of those brave and fearless men, who, in 
the Revolution, opposed Tyranny and oppression. He 
was First Lieut, in Hutchinson's company of Minute- 
men, and in that capacity went to Lexington. He after- 
wards did good service in the Revolution, and rose to 
the rank of Colonel. He was a man respected and 
beloved. 



Jeremiah Pdtiiam was born in "Danvers in the year 
1736. He was a soldier of the Revolution, and held 
the rank of Captain. H3 was a useful citizen, and dis- 
charged faithfully the trusts reposed in him. His grave 
is in the Plains burial ground, and the stone bears the 
following lines : 

"In Memory of Capt. Jeremiah Putnam who died 



188 HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 

Sept. 16, 1T99, Aged 63 years. Au Officer under the 
Immortal Washington. 

This modest stone, what few vain mortals can, 
May truly say: Here lies an Honest Man." 

Samuel Flint was one of the bravest of those who- 
answered their Country's call in the hour of her peril. 
He was born in Danvers in 17 — . He took a very ac- 
tive part in the affray at Lexington. An officer once 
asked him where he should find him on a certain occa- 
sion. His reply was worthy the proudest days of Spar- 
ta: "Where the enemy is, there will 3^ou meet me!" 
A report returned to Danvers on the evening of the bat- 
tle of Lexington that Capt. Flint was slain, but he soon 
returned to dissipate the rumor. He was engaged in 
the army constantly, doing good service, having been 
eight months in the league of Boston. He was drafted 
with three other captains to go to New York. They 
had but twenty-four hours to prepare, and they met at 
Leach's tavern, where they chose Flint, captain, and 
Herrick of Beverly, 1st, Lieut. He was killed at the 
head of his company, at Stillwater, Oct. 7th, 1777, and 
was the only officer from Danvers slain in the Revolu- 
tion. 

[Abridged fro7n Dr. Wadsioorth.] 
" Samuel Ilolten was born in Danvers, June 9th, 
1738. His • ancestors' rank among the early set- 
tlers. His father, having no other son, early intended 
to give him a collegiate education. He was accord- 
ingly, at eight years of age, placed in the faroily of 



8 ^ 

HISTORY OF DANVERS. 189 

Rev. Mr. Clark ; but at twel'/e he was visited with a 
dangerous indisposition, which greatly enfeebled his 
c onstitution and impaired his hearing — a serious mis- 
fortune that attended him through life. Unable to 
pursue his classical studies, he relinquished the favor- 
ite object. 

"Health being at length in some measure restored, 
he turned his attention to the healing art. So intense 
was his application, that before he had arrived at the 
age of eighteen, the physician, under whose direction 
he studied, pronounced him well qualiSed for the prac- 
tice both of physic and surgery. In his nineteenth 
year, he commenced an acceptable j^^^^^titioner in 
Gloucester ; but in less than two years after, at the so- 
licitation of his father and friends, he returned to the 
place of his nativity, where with growing reputation he 
continued to practise in his profession, as his public en- 
gagements would admit, sixteen years. 

"He had not reached the age of thirty when the town 
of Dixnvers testified their high sense of his abiUties, by 
electing him their Representative in the General 
Court, and constituting him their Ar/ent in an unhap- 
py dispute depending between said town and some of 
its inhabitants. The cause he managed with so much 
skill and address as to obtain at length a final settle- 
ment by an act of the legislature, which met the unan- 
imous approbation of all parties. From that time we 
may date the united voice of the town in his favor. 

" In 1768, being the first year Doctor Ilolten held a 
seat in the General Court, he signalized himself as 
a son of lihertij. A decided part he took in behalf of 

» ^ »w4 



190 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 

his country, and became a very active and influential 
character through the ensuing revolution. He was a 
member of the Provincial Conv^ention, which was in 
session when the British troops first landed in Boston ; 
and a member of the committee of the convention in 
the County of Essex. Highly electrified by the spirit 
of the times, few men were more zealous ly engaged 
in the common cause, or more constantly employed on 
important services preliminary to the freedom and sov- 
ereignty of our country. 

" Xt the momentous crisis which " tried men's 
souls," Doctor Holten ranks among those venerable 
patriots, who courageously stepped forward at their 
country's call, and risked their lives and fortunes to 
save its sinking liberties. Public exigencies being very 
pressing, about this time, he relinquished his medical 
profession entirely and all private business, and be- 
came wholly devoted to the service of his country. He 
was chosen first Major of the first Regiment in Essex, 
though he had never before been in the military line. 
A seat he held as a Representative from Danvers 
in the provincial congress at Watertown, and was ap- 
pointed one of the committee of safety. When the 
provisional government of Massachusetts was organized, 
he was constituted one of the executive council. 

''In 1776, he took his seat as one of the judges of 
the court of common pleas for his native county, and 
performed the duties of that office about thirty-two 
years, presiding half that time. He was justice of the 
court of general sessions of the peace thirty-five years 
and chief justice of the same fifteen. A commission 



l?5 



\ ^r==== = ^ ^ 

HISTORY OP DAN VERS. 191 \\ 

he held as justice of the peace and quorum nearly 
forty years. 

"In 1777, Judge Holten was one of the delegates 
from Massachusetts, who assisted in framing the Con- 
federation of the United States at York Town. The 
ensuing year he was for the first time chosen a delegate 
in the American Congress, and annexed his ratifying 
signature to that Constitution of government. His name 
was likewise affixed to a cession of a part of the territo- 
ry of Massachusetts to congress. Repeated elections 
occasioned so long a continuance in the southern climate 
as very sensibly to affect his constitution. He was one 
of the delegates in congress at that critical time when 
the legislature of Massachusetts vested in any two of 
them unhmited power, pledging themselves to ratify 
whatever they should accede to or transact. And so 
high did he stand in the esteem of that august body, 
that tliey elected him President of Congress, 
and thus promoted him to the first seat of honor in his 
country. 

"He was chosen one of the Convention which formed 
our State Constitution, adopted in 1780 ; but being in 
congress, he was necessarily prevented attending that 
service. At that dark period in the revolution, when 
piihlio credit had nearly failed, and there was reason to 
fear the army would quit the field and return home, he 
was one of the committee which planned the neio emis- 
sion paper currency, as the last expedient and only hope 
of saving the country ; and which happily proved suc- 
cessful, by reviving its sinking credit. In 1781 he was 
elected in the county of Essex as a Senator ; and when 

^ ^- - ■ — ^ 



192 HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 



the State Government was organized, he was advanced 
by the general court to the executive council. To these 
stations he was re-elected several succeeding years. 
For more than a year Doctor Ilolten was the only medi- 
cal character in congress ; and to him was committed 
tlie charge of the medical department in the army. 

'•Iq 1T83 the great object of Pt^acea/zc^ Independence 
was obtained. But new difficulties arose on disbanding 
the army. He held a seat in congress at that time, and 
was present when the house where they were in session 
was surrounded with armed soldiers, imperiously de- 
manding compensation for their services before they re- 
tired to their respective homes. He and several other 
members, with their lives in their hands, ventured among 
them, attempting by reason and argument to pacify their 
minds and quell the tumult. But so violent and outrage- 
ous were i\vQij^ tliat with bayonets pointed at their 
breasts for several hou:s, they loaded them with execra- 
tions and threatened to immediately sacrifice them, un- 
less they would grant their request, xit length howev- 
er they were prevailed with to desist and rest the issue. 

''In 1787 he was part of the time a representative in 
the general court, and the other part a member in con- 
gress. The next year, when the Federal Constitution 
was submitted to the people, he was one of tlie delegates 
in the convention of this State, which adopted that ex- 
cellent plan of republican government. In 1793 and 
the ensuing j^ear, Judge Holten, by the suffrages of the 
district, including the counties of Essex, Suftolk, and 
Middlesex, was delegated a representative to congress. 
Twice he was aj)pointed an elector of president and 



1^ 



niSTORY OF DANVERS. 193 

vice-president. He and several other gentlemen were 
incorporated into "the Massachusetts Medical Society," 
of which he was a counsellor, and a vice-president ; and 
likewise into an '^Agricultural Society-" He was a 
member of the Humane Society; and was admitted an 
honorable member of the Bristol Medical Society. 

"Li 1811, when the court of sessions was organized 
on a 7iew ^:>?an, he was appointed chief justice. He 
served in the offices of selectman, town clerk, assessor, 
and committee of safety. Twenty-four years he was 
town treasurer ; and treasurer of the parish about half 
a century, for which last service he wished and received 
no other compensation than their united approbation. 
Possessing a happy talent at healing breaches and set 
tling private dilferences, he was frequently employed as 
an Arhritator in difficult cases, and occasionally attend- 
ed ecclesiastical councils. 

"Having been elected eight years as a representative | 
in the general court, five in the senate, twelve in the 
council, five in congress as a representaiive under the 
confederation, and two under the federal constitution, 
in 1798 being in low health he declined standing a can- 
didate for a re-election to congress. But September 
the first, the same }ear, he received a commission as 
Judge op Probate for the county of Essex, which he 
accepted, and resigned his seat at the council board. 
The arduous duties of that office he continued to perform 
to general satisfaction, till admonished by the infirmities 
of age of the expediency of relinquishing all public bus- 
iness. Having nearly completed nineteeen years, on 
May 10th, 1815, he in due form resigned the office, and 






' • — — ^ 

194 HISTORY OF DANVERS. (1 



spent his few remainmg months in contemplative retire- 
ment. He died Jan. 2d, 1816, in the 78th year of his 
age. 

"Should the secret journals of Congress in revolu- 
tionary times be published, his character will be more 
fully developed ; but, enrolled in the archives of Amer- 
ica, his name will be handed down to posterity with the 
celebrated names of his contemporary patriots, crowned 
with immortal honors." 

The following letter from his Excellency Caleb 
Strong, the Honorable Samuel Holten received upon his 
resignation of the office of Judge of Probate : 

BosTo:^, May 10, 1815. 

Dear Sir : — I have just received your letter of the 
oth instant, in which, from and after this day, you resign 
the office of Judge of Probate for the county of Essex. 
Tae resignation, having been communicated to the 
Council, was, by their advice, accepted. 

By your long and faithful services in various and im- 
portant stations, as well legislative as judicial, of which 
on many occasions I have myself been a witness, you 
are entitled to the grateful respect of your fellow citi- 
zens ; and I am happy to express to you their acknowl- 
edgements. I have no doubt that the review of your 
public life will afford you much satisfaction, and hope 
that the evening of your days will be tranquil and happy. 

I am, Sir, with sincere esteem and respect, 
your most obedient servant, 

CALEB STRONG. 
Hon. Judge Holten. 






M 



HISTORY OF D AX VERS. 195 

Sarah Gloyd. This account of an eccentric woman 
is abridged from a very interesting biography written by 
Dr. A. Nichols. 

HISTORY OF SARAH GLOYD. 

Died, on Monday night, the 10th March, 1845, in the 
Alms House, Danvers, Sarau Gloyd, aged nearly 98. 

"About the year 1747 — on the bank of Beaver-dam 
brook in Salem Village, near the gate or entrance of 
the avenue to the Lawrence Farm, stood the humble 

cottage of Gloyd — and there it had stood for half 

a century, and there it stood for more than half a centu- 
ry longer; no vestige of the ancient appearance re- 
mains : but in memory's glass I see it yet. 

"An old dilapidated one story building about 16 feet 
square leaning against a gravelly knoll, with two small 
leaded sashed diamond glass windows — one in the south- 
ern front, and another opposite in the back side. The 
west end was occupied by a chimney and fire place suffi- 
ciently large to accomodate the whole family in its corn- 
ers. Opposite the chimney in the east end was the door 
with a wooden latch, (string always pulled in) and seve- 
ral curious substitutes for bolts and locks dangling about 
it. In this room was a bed, trundle bed, two or three 
wheels for spinning linen, tow and wool, some old bask- 
ets containing wool, tow and cards, pails, pots and ket- 
tles, warming pan, frying pan and allthe&c's of house 
keeping. In irregular festoons around the walls were 
spider webs, the wardrobes of the inmates and nume- 
rous bundles of medicinal herbs promiscuously assorted 






196 HISTORY OF DAXYERS. 

therewith, an old chest of drawers, a table and several 
chairs, blocks and benches. 

"Here in the month of March, year 1747, in the 
evening, sat a middle aged woman the wife of Gloyd, 
a daughter of Dame Clojce, (the school mistress of the 
parish, to whom we, the descendants of the early settlers, 
may be more indebted for the constitution of our minds, 
for ideas, for even theological notions handed down to 
us from our ancestors than v>e can be aware of,) with an 
only daughter about 8 years old, busily emploj-ed in 
carding wool or other domestic manufacture, little 
dreaming of the sorrowful intelligence which a messen- 
ger on horseback was bearing at full speed from Middle- 
ton Tavern to their humble residence. 

"Gloyd, a jolly, laughing, ca^'e-despising improvident 
man, went in the morning of that day, to said town, 
with several others, to chop wood. Having finished 
their day's work, they started for home, agreeing that 
the one of the company who should reach the tavern 
first should be treated by the others. 

"The nearest way was over Middleton pond, but the 
thaws of spring had already rendered the ice an unsafe 
bridge. Gloyd however intent on a dram at free cost, 
or what was probably more seducing, the prospective 
joy of the winner of a game, ran over the pond, fell in 
and was drowned. The others escaped. 

"The news reached the new made widow, who ex- 
claimed, "0 dear, dear, he had a toi jyound note in his 
pocket.''^ 

"The lone widow and daughter, naturally timid, and 
rendered daily more so, by their lonely situation, lived on 



I HISTORY OF DANVERS. 197' 

alone in the cottage above described, till after a few days 
or weeks the subject of this obituary was added to their 
number. 

"Sarah was doubtless made a baby of as long as pos- 
sible, and then taught to read the bible, spin and sew as 
Hannah had been before her. 

''They subsisted I have said partly on charity, but 
when the children had become old enough to earn their 
own living and the mother still a well and able bodied 
woman, the neighbors began to feel that their donations 
were no longer needed and consequently withheld them 
altogether, or bestowed them more sparingly. 

"The effect this had on the family elicited strongly 

one distinguishing trait in their character. One of 

their number must foiLi-n sickness. And verv soon Sa- 
<-» t/ 

rah was reported sick. When visited by any one she 
was always found in bed, her head bound up with band- 
ages and her whole frame agitated by tremors or tortu- 
red with pains. • 

"The door was always kept fastened by so many con- 
trivances that it took several minutes to open it to admit 
an errand boy or visitor. Knock at the door and a shrill 
voice from within would incjuire, "who's there ?" — this 
answered — "what do you want " followed. 

"If the apphcant for entrance and his or her errand 
were deemed admissible, the fastening would begin to 
rattle, and after a while the door would open. 

"During Sarah's pretended sickness, which lasted 
many years, it often took so long to get in, that a strong 
suspicion arose in the minds of the neighbors, that while 



m "_^ 



198 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

tliej were waiting, Sarah left her work, undressed and 
got into bed. 

"Erom one of the great perils of women she was ef- 
fectually protected. No one, I beheve, ever heard her 
complain of being insulted by an offer of love, either 
mth honorable or dishonorable intentions. Indeed, so 
highly was she charged with repulsive power, that to 

I have approached her within kissing distance, would have 
been impossible. Her gister Hannah used to say, "the 
men seemed to her like people of another nation." The 

! soldiers were a source of trouble to them at Fall muster. 

I "jibout the commencement of the present century, 
Hannah died, and by the interference of the neighbors 
was torn from the embraces of Sarah, and laid to sleep 
by the side of her parents. 

''Sarah lived on awhile alone, but her ill health, real 
or pretended, her utter loneliness, and the wayward fan- 
cies which possessed her — excited the compassion of all 
around her. What could be done with her or for her ? 
Against being supported by the town she had the most 
inveterate prejudices, and the good neighbors really 
feared that such a disposition of her, would kill her at 
once. At length the late Capt. Benjamin Putnam, out 
of the abundant benevolence of his heart, offered to 
take her under his protection, if the neighbors would 
take down her house and re-build it of smaller dimen- 
sions, by the side of his own. He happening to be a 
favorite with her the offer was accepted. The removal 
ws accomplislied by the voluntary labors of her old 
neighbors, who transformed themselves from farmers in 

Ij to carpenters and masons for the occasion. In this new 



:2^^ 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 199 

location, about a mile from the place of her birth, she 
lived five or six years in her usual style, chiefly in chari- 
ty. Here, as every where and at all times during her 
lou^ life, she was afflicted with anomalous complaints 
which unfitted her for much labor. Once she had t he 
misfortune to swallow a rose bug, which being in prolific 
circumstances, filled her whole body with its progeny ! 
and it took her at least one year, to rid herself of these 
ugly intruders. On another occasion, she had the mis- 
fortune to get frozen on a cold winter night, and the frost 
did not get out of her till past the middle of the follow- 
ing summer! Tliis last misfortune, occurred however, 
after she had become an inmate of the Alms house, 
whither, having become so troublesome and dependant . 
on her generous protector's family, as to cause them to 
feel that they had assumed a burden greater than their 
duty required, she Avas cirried by force about the 
year 1806." 

EXTRACTED FROAI MR. KING'S EULOGY. 

" Gideon Foster was born in the house which formerly 
stood on the corner of Lowell and Foster streets, Feb- 
ruary 24th, A. D. 1749. His father, Gideon Foster, 
was a native of Boxford ; his mother, Lydia Goldth- 
wait, of this town. His early opportunities of acquir- 
ing an education were few, but he diligently improved 
them. He wrote a handsome hand, was a correct 
draughtsman and an accurate and skilful surveyor. 
For several short periods he was employed in school 
keeping, but the more pressing necessities of those 
days, and the moderate means of the people afforded 



200 HISTOEY OF DANVERS. f 

but little time for literary improvements. He was a 
man of more than common ingenuity as well as intelli- 
gence. As a mechanic, lie had much skill ; the ma- 
chinery of his mills "was of his own planning and con- 
struction, and many practical mechanics and manufac- 
turers have derived imi^ortant advanta£!;e3 from his 
su2;a;estions. 

"(jien. Foster was honored and trusted by his fellow 
citizens, and in turn discharged all the important munic- 
ipal offices of the town. For four years he was town 
clerk ; he was long an active magistrate of the County, 
and for nine years a member of the State Legislature. 

"In the militia of the Commonwealth he rendered 
good service, and he considered the volunteer military 
the safest and best means of our national defence. In 
1792, Capt. Foster was promoted to the rank of Colo- 
nel ; in 1796, he Avas chosen Brigadier General ; in 
1801, he was elected Mijor General by the Legisla- 
ture ; in the House receiving every vote, and in the 
Senate there being but one dissenting voice. 

"When our country was threatened with invasion 
during the last war, he was chosen commander of a 
company of exempts ; the worthy veteran never lost his 
military ardor, but to the last, the sound of the drum 
and trumpet was music to his ear ; indeed for almost a 
whole century, there has been no day when the sword 
of the old soldier would not have been drawn and a vig- 
orous blow struck for the defence of his country's 
rights ; nurtured in that school of patriotism which 
taught that opposition to tyrants is obedience to God, 
and which inculcated love of country next to love of 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 201 



heaven, his strong indignation was roused by any 
wrong done her or danger threatened. Liberty and 
love of coLintry were his early and abiding passions. 
liis country's free institutions, good order, good laws 
and good rulers were the objects of his strongest aifec- 
tions ; he not only loved them but he did what he was 
able; according to his judgment and understanding, to 
maintain and perpetuate them. No distance of place, 
no severity of the weather, no bodily infirmity, from 
the adoption of the constitution till the day of his death, 
more than sixty years, detained him from depositing 
his ballot for State OlEcers. 

'•General Foster, through his long life, was a man of 
great energy, enterprise and industry. Two disastrous 
fires had robbed him of wealth, but on his little farm, 
with a Roman independence and more than Roman vir- 
tue, his own hands to the last, ministered to his neces- 
sities. 

"The threatenlngs of the enemy to destroy the mili- 
tary stores of the Colony, caused the provincial Con- 
gress to order a draft of minute men — ^men ready at a 
minute's warning to tuke the field and face the enemy. 
Of one of the companies drafted here, Gideon Foster 
was chosen commander ; he was then twenty-six years 
of age. 

"On the 19th of April, the day ever memorable for 
the battle of Lexington, Capt. Foster marched with his 
company sixteen miles in four hours, to West Cam- 
bridge, where they met the retreating Britons. His 
prowess, coolness and intrepidity on that day, won for 
him high honor and imperishable fame. 



! 202 



^ 



HISTORY OF DANVEES. 



"For more than eight montlis he commanded a com- 
pany in CoL Mansfield's Regiment, in the army en- 
camped about Boston. He was actively engaged on 
the 17th of June, the dnj of the battle of Bunker's 
hill, and ever while in the service, deserved and bore 
the character of a brave officer and a good soldier. 

" General Foster's mind always vigorous, retained 
much of its strength till within a few days of his de- 
cease. Ills confinement was short, and it was not un- 
til the fatal hour that immediate danger was apprehen- 
ded. He died on Saturday, Nov. 1st, 1845. 

" On all occasions his townsmen and neighbors man- 
ifested deep respect for his character and services. 
When it was known that he was no more, the bells were 
tolled, business was suspended and a gloom pervaded 
the community; there was a voluntary and general 
mourning ; the flag of our country was floating at half 
mast, a mournful token that one loved and honored had 
passed away ; on one flag staff", wrapped among the 
stripes and the stars, was the pennon of the Foster Fire 
Company with the name of Gen. Foster blazoned upon 
it ; so are mingled with the fame of our country's revo- 
lutionary glory, the name and exploits of the old sol- 
dier. 

" The last commissioned officer of the Revolution, 
certainly of the early part of the Revolution, is dead, 
the veteran soldier, the last connecting link is broken — 
the comvade of Warren and Prescott and Stark, the 
man who held offi.-ial intercourse with Ward and Put- 
nam and Washington, has now gone to join the mighty 
host of the worthy dead. 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 203 



"The bugle's wild and warlike blast 

Shall muster them no more ; 
An army now might thunder past, 

And they nol heed its roar. 

The starry flag, 'neath which th°y fought, 

In many a bloody day, 
From their old graves shall rouse them not, 

For they have passed away." 

The funsral procession was after the following order : 

ESCORT, 

Consisting of the Salem Artillery, the Danvers Light Inf\ntry the 
Salem Li^ht Infantry, and the Lynn Riflo Corps, (the latter bear- 
ing a b:inner presented by the hands of Gen. Foster to the 
company in 1836. This banner was shrouded in cr^pe. 
The escort was a detachment from Gen. Su'ton's 
brig.ide, and was under the immediate com- 
mand of Col. Andrews.) 
Hearse, flanked by a military guard. 
Family of the deceased, in Carriages, 
Brig. Gen. Sutton and Stafl", and IMilitary Oili 'ers in uniform, in 
Carriages, 
Committee of Arrangements, 
Otfiniating and other Clergy, 

Civil Officers of the town, 

Danvers Mechanic Institute, 

Fire Department, 

"Gen, Foster" Engine Co. No. 7, in dark dr°ss with badges, 

"Volanleer" Engine Co. No. 8, with badgesand in firemen's uniform, 

Citizens of the neighboring tovvn^, 

Citizens of Danvers. 



The fallowing rlocument from Gen. Foster's own hand, 
presents the company which marched to Lexington un- 
der his command. Some of the soldiers were from 

m . 1 



'^^==^ ■ - ■ ■ .,..■.. - . . m 

204 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

Eppes's company, and the rest were other volunteers. 
T he former are marked thus :^ 

"Danvers, August 19th, 1837. 

''Fitch Pool, Jr. 

"Dear Sh* : It is with pleasure that I communicate to 
jou (agreeable to your wish) the following list of minute 
men, who voluntarily enlisted from Capt. Samuel 
Eppes's company, on the 27th February, 1775. There 
is not one of the above named now alive, except myself, 
whom God has permitted to continue to the age of eighty 
eight years. 

"GiDEOX Foster. 

LISl' OF MINUTE MEN. 

"Samuel Cook, jr.,* William Rice, 
George South wick, jr.,* Joseph j Bell, 

Henry Jacobs, jr.,* John Setchell,* 

John Collins,* Jonathan Newhall, 

Benjamin Eppes,* Stephen Twiss,* 

Samuel Webber, Stephen Small,* 

James Stone,* Uriah Harwood, 

Solomon Wyman,* Jacob Reed, 

Robert Stone,* Abel Mackintire,* 

Isaac Twiss,* James Goldthwait,* 

Samuel Reeves, John Eppes, jr.* 

Thomas Gardner, jr.,* John Needham, 

Joseph Twiss,* Gideon Foster,* 
Jonathan Harwood, 

Probably Gen. Foster's memory could not recall his 
entire company. Denuison Wallis, Ehenezer Gold- 
thwaite and perhaps others, should be added. 






HISTORY OF DANYERS. 205 

Benjamin Foster, B. D. a brother of Gideon, was 
born at the same place, June 12th, 1750. He gradu- 
ated at Yale College in 1774, and after completing his 
theological studies under the supervision of Dr. Still- 
man, he commenced the work of the ministry, and was 
ordained in Leicester, Oct. 23d. 1776. In January 
1781 he was settled as pastor of the first Baptist Soci- 
ety. He remained but two years, however, when he 
removed to Newburyport, and soon after to New York, 
where, in the year 1798 he died a victim of the yellow 
fever which then prevailed. He was devoted to his 
flock to the last, and fell a martyr to his faithfulness. 
He was a learned man, and a good minister. He 
published ''The Divine Right of Immersion," in answer 
to a Mr. Fish, and defended "Primitive Baptism," in a 
letter to John Cleveland, and also pubhshed a treatise 
on the 70 weeks of Daniel. 

Benjamui IVlichwortJi, B. B., was born in Milton, 
July 29!:h, 1750, and graduated at Harvard University 
in 1709, and died Jan. 18th, 1826, after having been set- 
tled in Danvers 53 years. He published seven or eight 
sermons on different topics, and long occupied a distin- 
guished position in the town and among his clerical 
brethren. During his ministry he baptized 68 adults 
and 810 children, and admitted 230 members into the 
church. When he died there were but two female 
members of the church who belonged at his settlement, 
and no males. He was a pious man, frugal, prudent^ 
and successful. 

His published works are, a sermon on the death of 



206 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 

Hon. Samuel Holten ; a sermon on the death of Dr. 
Cutler of Hamilton ; Thanksgiving Sermon Feby. 19fch 
1795 ; Eulogy on Washington Feb. 22d, 1800 ; Dedi- 
cation Sermon Nov. 20th, 1808 ; a Sermon before the 
Bible Soc. of Salem and vicinity April 19th, 1815 ; 
Disc, before the Soc. for suppressing Intemperance ; 
achargeatthe ordination of S. Gile ; right haul of 
fellowship addressed to D. Story, &c. 

Eliza Wharton. The grave of Eliza Wharton is 
one of the most interesting localities to be found in the 
Commonwealth. It is in South Danvers. Although 
this unfortunate woman is as generally known in this 
country as any other who ever lived, as Ul'iza Whar- 
ton the coquette, but very few know her real history and 
true character. The catch penny volume of letters 
which pretends to give her history, has but the figments 
of the imagination of its authoress to recommend it. 

Elizabeth Whitman came from a very respectable fam- 
ily in Connecticut, where her father was a clergyman. 
She was born in the year 1751. She was possessed of 
an ardent poetical temperament, an inordinate love of 
praise, and was gifted with the natural endowments of 
beauty, and perfect grace, while she w^as accomplish- 
ed with those refinements which education can be- 
stow. She was lovely beyond words. But her natu- 
ral amiabilities were warped and perverted by reading 
great numbers of romances, to the exclusion of almost 
all other reading. She formed her ideas of Man, by 
the exaggerated standards she saw in the books to which 
she resorted, and thus, when she looked around her, she 






HISTORY OF DANVERS. 207 

saw no one who realizod hor idsal. Superior, as she 
unquestionably was to those of her sex who surrounded 
her, she was eagerly sought after by those whose affec- 
tions she w^on, but hke the candle's blaze which draws 
the moth, she consumed those who approached. In a 
word, she was a confirmed coquette. Among a multitude 
of offers, eligible and desirable, she found none that 
seemed to answer her high expectations, and thus, she 
wore her youth away, ^ 'until disappointed and past her 
bloom," (as a contemporary account observes,) ^'she 
gave way to criminal indulgence, and the consequence 
becoming visible, she eloped from her friends, and ter- 
minated her career." Her "criminal indulgence" con- 
sisted in forming one of those improper connections to 
which romantic minds are so prone. She became inti- 
mate with a lawyer who was formerly her lover, and 
wdiose heart already belonged to another; and in defi- 
ance of the laws of God and Man, the usages of Soci- 
ety and the dictates of a sound judgement, she sacri- 
ficed her virtue and her reputation. Her paramour 
equally guilty with herself afterv^ards became Hon. 
Judge Pierpont Edwards, if we may believe Tradition. 
She was brought in June 1788 to the Bell Tavern, 
in a chaise driven by a young man who immediately 
drove away and never returned. She affirmed that she 
was married, and even laid a letter professedly written 
by her husband, but in reality written by herself, on her 
table, in order to produce the impression that she was 
married. She wrote E. JVaUcer on the door, and one 
day, while she was looking out of the vandow, a man 
passing, stopped to read the name, and when he went 



208 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

away without calling, she was heard to say, ^'I am un- 
done !" Probably there was some concerted plan that he 
should pass through the tovrn and should find her by 
the name which was written on the door, and would at- 
tend her in her misfortune, if h^ could do so without 
compromising his reputation. 

Her appearance of gentility and gracefulness was 
such, that as she passed along the street, old and young 
turned to look after the "beautiful strange lady." "At 
the window of the south chamber she used to sit, and 
while away the heavy hours at her needle or guitar." 
She was an object of intense curiosity to the people of 
the village. As her critical hour drew rapidly nigh, 
she so enlisted the sympathy of a neighboring lady in 
her behalf, that she consented one evening for her 
to take up her abode with the family the next day. 
That night she was delivered of a still born child, and 
died in two weeks of a puerperal fever. Those who per- 
formed the last offices due mortality speak of the won- 
derful symmetry of her person, and the extraordinary 
length and beauty of her hair. 

The following letter and poem not only proclaim her 
as a woman of refined and delicate mind, but they also 
show us the sure results of vice. These were found 
among her effects after her decease, and were published 
in the Massachusetts Sentinel, Sept. 20, 1788. The 
letter was in cyphers. 

LETTER. 

'• Must I die alone ? Shall I never see you more ? I know that 
you will come, but you will come too lale. This is, I fear, my last 
ability. Tears fall so, I know not how to write. Why did you leave 



HISTORY OF DANVEPtS. 209 

me in so much distress ? But I will not reproach you. All that was 
dear Heft for you ; but do not regret it. May God forgive in both 
what was amiss. Wlien I go from hence, I will leave you some way 
to find me ; if i die, will you cJme and drop a tear over my grave?" 

The Poem is a pastoral, and exhibits much true feel- 
ing and artistic merit. 

•' DISAPPOINTMENT. 

"With fond impatience all the tedious day 

I sighed, and wished the lingering hours away ; 

For when bright Hesper led the starry train, 

]\Iy Shepherd swore to meet me on the plain ; 

With eager haste to that dear spot I flew, 

And lingered long and then the tears withdrew ; 

Alone, abandoned to love's teniterest woes, 

Down my pale cheeks the tide of sorrow flows ; 

Dead to all joy that fortune can bt'stow. 

In vain fur me her useless bounties flow ; 

Take back each envied gifc ye power divine. 

And only let me call Fidelio mine. 

Ah, wretch ! what anguish yet thy soul must prove. 

For thou can'st hope to lose thy care in love ; 

And when Fide jlio meets thy tearfal eye, 

Pale fear and cold despair his presence fly; 

With pensive steps I sought thy walks again. 
And kifesed thy token on the verdant plain ; 

With fondest hope through many a blissful hour, 

We gave our souls to fancy's pleasing power ; 
Lost in the magic of that sweet employ, 
To build gay scenes, and fashion future joy, 
We saw mild Peace over fair Canaan rise, 
And shower her pleasures from benignant skies ; 
On airy hills our happy mansion rose. 
Built but for joy, no room for future woes ; 
Round the calm solitude with ceas.olcss song, 

****** 

Sweet as tlia sleep of innocence the day, 

By transports measured, lightly danced away ; 

'^ .-^ 



210 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 

To love, to bliss, the union'd soul wai given, 
But ah ! too happy, asked no brighter heaven. 
And must the hours in ceaseless anguish roll ? 
Will no soft sunshine cheer my clouded soul? 
Can this dear earth no transient joy supply ? 
Is it my doom to hope, despair and die ? 
Oh ! come once more, with soft endearments come, 
Burst the cold prison of the sullen tomb ; 
Thro' favor'd walks thy chosen maid attend, 
Where well-known shades their pleasing branches bend ; 
Shed the soft poison of thy speaking eye, 
And look thos3 raptures lifeless words deny ; 
Still be, tho' late, reheard what ne'er could tire, 
But. told each evo, fresh pleasures would inspire ; 
Still hope those scenes which love and fancy drew; 
But drawn a thousand times, were ever new, 
Can fancy paint, can words express ; 
Can aught on earth my woes redress; 
E'en thy soft smiles can ceaseless prove 
Thy truth, thy tenderness and love; 
Once thou couldsl every bliss inspire. 
Transporting joy, and giy desire; 
Now cold Despair her banner rears. 
And pleasure flies when she appears; 
Fond hope within my bosom dies, 
And agony her place supplies: 
O, thou! for whose dear sake I bear, 
A doom so dreadful, so severe, 
May h ippy fates thy footsteps guide, 
And o'er thy peiceful home preside 

Nor let E a's early tomb 

Infect thee with its baleful gloom." 

The novelty of her situation, and her attractive beau- 
ty and manners during her short sojourn in Danvers, 
caused the entire village and many from the neighbor- 
ing towns to attend her funeral. A few weeks after 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 211 

her burial an unknown hand erected a grave-stone with 
the following eloquent inscription : 

"This humble stone in memory of Elizabeth Whit- 
MAX, is inscribed by her weeping friends, to whom she 
endeared herself by uncommon tenderness and affection. 
Endowed with superior genius and acquirements, she 
was still more endeared by humility and benevolence. 
Let candor throw a veil over her frailties, for great "was 
her charity to others. She sustained the last painful 
scene far from every friend, and exhibited an example 
of calm resignation. Her departure was on the 25th of 
July, A. D. 1788, in the 37th year of her age, and 
the tears of strangers watered her grave." 

Her grave is a Mecca for all who love the romantic. 
Already the foot-stone has been demolished and the 
head-stone partially carried away, piecemeal, by acquis- 
itive pilgrims. The writer of this sketch once visited 
this spot, a cold morning in December, after a night 
of snow, and though the roads were but slightly 
travelled, yet there was a path to the grave of Eli- 
za Wharton. 

Although there has been a romantic moonlight thrown 
around the name and fate of the wicked and unfortu. 
nate, yet brilliant and amiable coquette, when Ave look 
at her conduct coldly, and scrutinize it as we do ordl" 
nary derelictions from the path of duty, — especially 
when we remember that our heroine was no inexperi. 
enced, unsophisticated maiden, but a woman of the so- 
ber autumnal age of thirty-seven — we shall find matter 
for condemnation. Still let us employ the charitable 






212 HISTORY OF DANVEES. 

reflection that age is not exempt from error, and that 
experience does not always give wisdom . 

Note. — To Matthew Stickncv, Esq., an industrious 
and talented Antiquarian, (whose rare collection of 
coins, medals, pamphlets and other antiquities, is indeed 
valuable,) I am indebted for the discovery of the fore- 
going poem, and also for other facts which his research- 
es obtained. 

Samuel Page born Aug. 1st, 1753, was one, amongst 
the many patriotic sons of Danvers, who cheerfully offer- 
ed his services to his country, at the breaking out of 
the revolution. 

On the 19th of April 1775, when at work with his 
father, Col. Jeremiah Page, the news came, that the 
British troops had left Boston, and w^ere on their march 
to Concord. He, and his father, (who commanded a 
company of militia,) immediately left their work, and 
proceeded to West Cambridge, where they united with 
the minute men from the north part of the town, under 
the command of Col. Hutchinson. Page and his com- 
rades w^ere inclosed in a yard, with bunches of shingles 
placed around it for abreast work. Here they discharg- 
ed two volleys of musketry at the main body of the 
British, then on their retreat. So unexpected and fa- 
tal was this assault upon the enemy's retreating columns, 
that it brought them to a halt. In loading their guns 
for another fire. Page broke his ramrod, a wooden one, 
and turning round, asked Perley Putnam to lend him 
his, but at that instant, a shot from the enemy's flank 



HISTORY OF D AX VERS. 213 

guard laid Putnam dead at his feet. Tlieir attention was 
now immediately directed to a large body of men, rap- 
idly approaching toward them, when Col. Hutchinson 
remarked, 'Hhey are our own men," but ilaron 
Cheever (father of Capt. Thomas Cheever) said, "no 
they are regulars, don't you see their red coats ?" A 
lire from them soon revealed their true character. They 
immediately returned the enemy's discharge, but their 
superior force soon compelled them to make a hasty re- 
treat. Capt. Page made good his escape, by running 
through an orchard, bringing a row of apple trees be. 
tween him and the enemy, thus protecting himself from 
their shot. Page joined the army under Gen. Wash- 
ington at Cambridge, with a captain's commission, and 
was with him at the crossing of the Delaware, and at 
the battles of White Plains, and Monmouth. During 
the severe winter of 1777, he was at Vatley Forge, 
and shared the sufferings, to which the American Army 
were at that time exposed. He was frequently heard 
to say, when speaking of the battle of Monmouth, 
fought June 28th 1778, that it was the most fatiguing 
day he ever experienced. The heat was excessive, and 
his thirst during the engagement, was almost insupport. 
able. The British in consequence of wearing thick 
heavy uniforms and equipments strapped about them^ 
suffered more severely than the Americans, who fought 
in their shirt sleeves. Capt. Page himself on that day, 
wore a linen coat, now in the possession of the family. 
He was also with Gen. Wayne at the storming of 
Stoney Point. He was in the advance, and Wayne 
having determined to carry the place at the point of the 



214 HISTORY OF DANVEES. 

bayonet alone, Capt. Page received orders from the Gen- 
eral, to take the flints from the muskets of his company. 
After the close of the war, he was engaged in commer- 
cial pursuits. « In the war of 1812, he commanded a 
company formed at the New-Mills, called in those days, 
the alarm list. That Capt. Page enjoyed a large share 
of the confidence of his fellow citizens, may be inferred 
from the fact, that he held many public offices, and re- 
presented the town many years in the General Court. 
His private character was distinguished for benevolence, 
integrity and moral worth. He died suddenly, Septem- 
ber 2d, 1814, aged 61 years, and was interred in the 
burial ground at the Plains, with the following inscrip- 
tion on his tomb stone. 

A Soldier, Patriot, Christian, 
His virtues embalm his memory. 
Children-s children shall rise up, 
and call him blessed. 

Furnished hy S. P. Fowler. 

Dennison Wallis. This gentleman was born in Ips- 
wich, in 1756, but in early life came to Danvers, and 
was one of those from this town who went to meet the 
British troops at Lexington. He was then but nineteen 
years of ago, and was wounded as described in the ac- 
count of that battle in another part of this work. He 
afterAvards went out in a privateer and assisted in the 
capture of a British transport, having on board a part 
of the celebrated Highland regiment. His subsequent 
life was devoted to business pursuits, in which he was 






HISTORY OP PANVEES. 215 



successful in the accumulation of a handsome estate. 
For several years he was a member of the Legislature, 
and was generally esteemed by his fellow citizens as an 
enterprising and useful member of society ;, The follow- 
ing Epitaph, understood to be from the pen of Hon. 
Rufus Choate, who at the time of Mr. Walhs's death 
was in the practice of law in this town, is a brief but 
just expression of the prominent traits of his character. 

ERECTED 

To the Memory of 
DENNISON WALLIS, 

Who died August 16, 1825, Aged 69. 

A Citizen 

Enterprising, Industrious, Benevolent, 

Honest and Patriotic, 

A Friend kind and oblio-ing; 

A man not without his frailties, 

And who is without them ? 

But in the main, Honorable, Wise 

and Virtuous. 

Although without children, Mr. Wallis always felt a 
lively interest in the education of the young, and he has 
left a noble monument to his memory in the endowment 
of a School in District No. 1, where he lived. This 
fund has been carefully cherished by the District and 
the Trustees who have successively had charge of it, 
and its income has always been faithfully applied to the 
objects designed by the liberal donor. This fund was 
originally ^2,250, but has since been increased to 
^2,800. By this judicious and benevolent application 



i. 



216 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 

of a portion of his estate, Mr. Wallis has ranked his 
name among the benefactors of mankind, and the Wal- 
Lis School -will long remain, we trust, to scatter its 
blessings on successive generations of the young, as 
well as to confer honor on the memory of its Founder. 
Communicated hy Fitch Poole. 

Moses Porter was born in Danvers in the year 
1757. He was an apprentice at the age of eighteen on 
the breaking out of the Revolution, and immediately 
joined the artillery company of Captain Trevett. As a 
private artilleryman he was in the battle of Bunker 
Hill and manifested uncommon bravery for his years 
and experience. Swett, in his account of Bunker Hill 
Battle says : "Captain Trevett v/as deserted by his men. 
His lieutenants, Swasey and Gardner stood by him, with 
but seven others, one of whom was Moses Porter, already 
a promising artillerist." He was in the army which under 
Washington beleaguered Boston, and through the whole 
Revolution. He was in the Battle of Brandy wine, and was 
wounded in an engagement vnth the British fleet on the 
Delaware river, below Philadelphia. 

At the close of tlie war he was Captain of Artillery 
by brevet, and was the only officer who was retained on 
the Peace Establishment. 

He was on the western frontier for many years, and 
was in the noted engagement on August 20th, 1794, 
when Gen. Wayne, with nine hundred men routed two 
thousand Indians, and laid waste their entire country. 
From this time until the breaking out of the last war 
he was constantly in the service of his Country, and 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 217 

among other duties lie superintended the line of surveys 
for fortifications &c., along the coasts of Maine and 
Massachusetts. 

In the late war he served on the lines, was at the taking 
of Fort George, and commanded at Niagara, where he 
held the rank of Brig. Gen. He accomplished in the 
winter of 1813 a march from Niagara to New Orleans 
in five months, through what was then a trackless wil- 
derness. He commanded the line of military posts from 
Michilmacinac, Lake Huron to Natchitoches on the bor- 
ders of the then Spanish Provinces. He accompanied 
Wilkisson in his unsuccessful expedition against Montre- 
al in 1811, and was stationed at Norfolk until the close 
of the war. This post was at that time one of the most 
important in the country, and was seriously menaced 
by the British, but he was so skilfully entrenched that 
they forebore all attack.^ 

At the close of the war he still remained in the ser- 
vice, and died in Cambridge in April 1822, in command 
of the district he ''so bravely defended in 1775." His 
body is interred in N. Danvers. He was longer in the 
xlmerican Service than any other officer of his grade 
and in the words of Swett, ''maintained an uniform and 
distinguished reputation as one of the first artillery 
officers in the service." He was a thorough soldier, 
and of course a high disciplinarian, and though distin- 
guished for the inflexibility of the soldier, he was polish- 
ed with the urbanity of a gentleman of the old school. 

Sylvester Osborne was born in Danvers, in the year 
1759. A youth of but sixteen years of age he rushed 



218 HISTORY OF DANYERS. 



to the affray at Lexington, and afterwards served in the 
war of the Revolution, a short time. He was after 
the Revolution, promoted to the rank of Major, and died 
Oct. 2d, 1815. He was selectman and representative, 
and was distinguished for his peaceable life, and the 
fidelity with which he attended to his own pursuits. 

Amos Pope was a quiet unobtrusive, but intellectual 
man, and deserving of honorable mention. He was an 
excellent mathematician. He prepared an Almanac 
for the year 179o, and according to tradition several 
others, which he arranged in the solitude of an attic, 
without the consolation of a fire. He, of course, made 
his own calculations, which were accurate. These works 
were printed at the Bell Tavern. 

Nathaniel Bowditcli, L. L. B.^F. R. S.^ was born 
in Salem, but as he removed to'Danvers in his infancy, 
and passed a portion of his childhood here, he seems to 
belong here. He w\as a fourth son, and was born 
March 26th, 1773. His paternal ancestors had been 
ship-masters for several generations, but his father re- 
tired from that occupation, and became a cooper. He 
began to manifest those remarkable faculties which af- 
terwards distinguished him above every man in his pro- 
fession, at an early age, and although he was obhged to 
forego school privileges at the age of ten years, yet he 
seems then only to have began to learn. He acquired 
the Latin and French languages for the sake of transla. 
ting Newton's Principia and La Place's Mechanique 
Celeste, and arrived at a height of Mathematical great- 



HISTORY OF D AX VERS. 



219' 



ness far above his contemporaries. His work on prac- 
tical navigation is the best in the world, and is used 
universally bv American sailors. Difficult Problems, 
and the abstruse windings of Mathematics were his pas- 




time, and those calculations which were inscrutable to 
other men were sport to him.* He died one of the most 
remarkable mon of his day, March 16th, 1838, aged 
sixty-five years. The above is an accurate view of the 



*This is not the place fjr an extended notice of one known so well 
but it is a fact ihat cannot be too long dwelt upon, that Dr. Bowditch 



m 



m 



220 HISTORY OF DAXYERS. 

house in which he obtained the rudiments of his great- 
ness, — where he first took note of the silver Regent of 
Night and her starry flock, and commenced cultivating 
an acquaintance with those heavenly hosts which he af- 
terwards knew so well, and to which he seemed so 
strangely allied. 

Nathan Read. To Hon. Nathan Read, belongs 
much credit, for the great encouragement he gave to 
manufactures and the arts. He was one of the first to 
test the efficiency of steam applied to Navigation, which 
he did soon after the astonishing developments of Fitch, 
Fulton and Livingston, in the commencement of the 
Nineteenth Century. Fitch was doubtless the first man 
who ever applied steam to locomotion. Fulton and 
Livingston in the j^ear 180G, began to experiment, and 
in the following year they launched their first boat, the 
Clermont, which performed a passage from New York 
to Albany, at the rate of 5 miles per hour. Read saw 
that steam might be applied to navigation and actually 
projected experiments atlenst ten years before this, but 
aflack of means prevented him from proving his pro- 
phetic opinions. The folio vdng will serve to rank Read 
among the venerable apostles of Science and Industry, 
of whom our country is justly proud. 

"Memorandum. Li the summer of 1788 I went to 
assist Mr Nathan Read in keeping his apothecaries 

was not a mere Theorist. He was a practical man, and tested his 
conclusions by facts. He navigated Salem Harbor in a small pleos- 
are boat for the purpose of expermient, and rendered his conclusions 
sasceptible of demonstration. 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 221 [ 

shop. The following winter and in the summer of 1789, 
he was much engaged on Mechanical and Philosophical 
subjects, particularly in the construction of a steam-en- 
gine, whose power might be advantageously applied to 
the propelling of boats and carriages, and in order to 
ascertain by experiment the effect that float wheels 
would have upon the boat, I very well remember that 
he had a light boat built by a Mr. Peirce, to which was 
attached a pair of float Avheels to be moved by hand. 
The experiment was tried in Porter's River in Dan- 
vers. I was not a witness to it, but was told that it 
succeeded to his fullest expectations. The boat was 
afterwards brought back and remained for some time 
in the back part of the shop. Why the steam was not 
applied, I then did not make enquiry ; and soon after 
leaving his shop for other pursuits, I made no further 
enquiries about it. But have understood it was for the 
want of a sufficient capital to put it in operation." ! 

WM. SHEPARD GRAY.'' li 

"Salem, Dec. 1816. 

"I recollect the above facts stated by JMr. Gray and 
remember to have seen Mr. Read row about the river 
in the boat ; but could not ascertain the time when the 
boat was made and used." 

"JOHN PRINCE, L. L. D. 

These facts serve to show that Danvers would have 
given birth to the steamboat had I\Ir. Read been bless- 
ed with a little more worldly wealth. He now resides 
in Belfast Me. in a green old age. 

19 



m^- • — — ^- ■ ' 1 

222 HISTORY OF DANYERS. i 

^ . . i 

1 

I£on. Elias Putnam^ ^ya3 born in Danver?, June j 
7th 1789. He manifested quite early in life those j 
traits of character which afterwards rendered him one 
of the most distinguished and useful men of North Dan- I 
vers. He invented several machines for the manufac- | 
turo of Shoes, and bj his skill and indefatigable indus- ' 
try and perseverance, he advanced that business which 
constitutes the basis of the Prosperity of Danvers. He 
was President of the Village Bank from its formation 
mitil the day of his death. He held many important | 
town offices, and served his fellow-citizens in the capaci- 
ty of Legislator during the years 1829 — 30. He was 
also a member of the State Senate. He possessed in 
an uncommon deii'ree the confidence and esteem of his 
fellow-citizens, and his death was felt by them to be a 
public loss. He died July 8th, 1847, aged b(S years. 
The Directors of the Village Bank, on receiving news 
of his death, passed unanimous resolutions expressive 
of regret and sympathy, as did the Walnut Grove Cem- 
etery Corporation, both of which enterprises he befriend- 
ed and aided, manifesting in this the public spirit which 
always distinguished him. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

ECCLESIASTICAL. 
I. N O R T H P A R I S H . 

*'The fifarmers," or people of "Salem Village Pre- 
cinct" and vicinity, had long felt the inconvenience of 
observing public worship in Salem proper. From time 
to time, commencing as early as A. D. 16GG, petitions 

n - -I 



m i 

HISTORY OP DANVERS. 223 

were presented to effect a separation between these and 
Salem, and the establishment of a parish at or near Sa- 
lem village. In 1870, the power to form a church was 
prayed for bj Thomas SmiU, Lott K?llum, (Kilham,) 
John Smith, John Buxton, John Wilkins, Jonathan 
Knight, PhiUp Knight, Til om?tS Flint, Hutchin- 
son, John Hutchinson, Richard Hutchinson, Job Swin- 
nerton, Robert Goodale, Nathaniel Putnam, Thomas 
Fuller, John Putnam. B. -a J Wilkins, John Gingill, Na- 
thaniel IngersoU an:l Thomas Putnam. The petition- 
ers say that they shall become worse than the heathen 
around them unless they can have a church. 

The town voted, March 22d, 16Tl-2,^that '-aU ffar- 
morsthat now are, or hereafter shall be willing to joyne 
together for providing a minister among themselves, 
whose habitations are above Ipswich Highway, the 
horse bridge to the wooden bridge at the hither end of 
Mr. Endecott's plaine, and from thence on a west line, 
shall have liberty to have a minister by themselves, and 
when they shall provide and pay him in a maintainance 
that then, they shall be discharged from their part of 
Salem minister's maintainance, &3." On the 8th of 
the following Octob3r an order was issued from General 
Court, in answer to the petition of Richard Hutchinson, 
Thomas Fuller and others, establishing the Salem Vil- 
lage Parish. The bounds are thus described : 

'' Village Line : 1. From the wooden bridge (a) 
upon the hither end of Mr. Endecott's plaine, upon a 
strait line over the swampy and miry land, leaving 
John Felton's hedge in the swamp within our bounds, to 
a small ash tree marked E. k W. side at tlie farther 



224 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

part of said swampy land. 2. The next bound Tree 
marked on the East and West side is a small young 
walnut Tree upon the rising ground about 20 or 30 
Rods distant from the ash beSbr mentioned, and from 
thence forward on a straight Line are several Trees 
marked for bounds all the way through Nathaniel Put- 
nam and Anthony Needham's Lands, leaving Anthony 
Needham's House about forty Rods within our bounds, 
to a white oak tree marked neer ye Highway that goes 
to widow Popes. 3. From thence on a strait Line to 
a small walnut Tree, marked, standing near that which 
is now the millpond. 4. From thence over the millpond 
to a drie stump standing at the corner of widow Pope's 
Cow Pen, leaving her house and the sawmill within the 
fiarmer's range. 5. From thence, a Black or Red oak 
Tree we have marked, standing on the top of ye Hill 
by the Highway side near Berry pond." 

JOSEPH GARDNER, 
JOHN PICKERING, 
BARTHOLOMEW GEDNEY. 
22d March 16T1-2." 

There were some of the farmers who desired to contin- 
ue to worship at the first church in Salem, but though 
they petitioned against the request, the village parish 
was at this time established. The money to defray all 
charges, was raised by levying a half penny tax on each 
acre of uncultivated land within the parish, and a penny 
on each cultivated acre. It was voted to build a house 
"34 foot in length, 28 foot broad, and 16 foot between 
joyntes," "and that the 5 part of the rate for building of 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 225 

the meeting house and finishmg the same, shall be paid 
in money, or butter at 5d per pound." A portion of 
the town of Salem did not view this project favorably, 
and petitioned the Court against it — unsuccessfully. 
The services of R'3v. James Bayley were procured as 
the first minister of the parish, O^t. 28, 1071 — 2. 
For the year 1671 — 2 he received c£l:7 and forty cords 
0? wood. In the year following a parsonage was erect- 
ed ''28 foot in length, 13 foot between joynts, 20 foot 
in breadth ; and a leentoo of 11 foot at the end of the 
house." The building Committee consisted of Nath'l 
Patnam, John Putnam, Joseph Hutchinson, Henry Ken- 
ny, John Buxton, Nath'l Ingersoll and Robert Prince. 
Mr. Bayley remained at a salary of about £30 until 
the year 1679. He was born in Newbury Sept. 12th, 
1650, and graduated at Cambridge in 1669. Nov. 
25th 1680 B3V. George Barroughs was invited to set- 
tle, and it was voted that he shoald receive ''for his 
raentenance amongst us for the year ensewing, sixty 
pounds In and as mony, one third part in mony cartain. 
the other two thirds in provision at mony prise as fol- 
loweth : Rye, and Barly, and malt, at three shillings 
per bushell : Indian corn at two shillings a bushell, 
beaf at three half pence a pound, and pork at two 
pence a pound : Batter at six pence a pound &c." In 
February 1680 it was voted to build a h^use for the 
ministry "12 foot long, 20 foot broad, 13 f Dot wide, four 
chimleis, no gable ends." A violent dispute raged at 
this time between two portions of the parish, wliich re- 
sulted in the removal of Mr. Burroughs in 1682. He 
removed to Falmouth, whence he was driven by Indi- 



226 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 

ans to Wells, Maine, where he resided until 1692 when 
he was accused of witchcraft, and was executed on 
"Gallows Hill," Salem. See Biography. 

In 1683 Rev. Daodat Lawson was called as minister. 
He accepted and took up his residence in Salem Vil- 
lage in the year following. At this time the house was 
lathed, plastered and "daubed". Two end galleries 
were added and a "canapee" was placed over the pul- 
pit. In 1685 it was voted that Mr. Lawson should 
have the "strangers money." (b) In the month of 
June this year a committee was chosen to "seat the 
bouse, having respect 1st to age, 2d to office, 8d to 
rates." 

Joseph Hutchinson who gave the land whereon the 
parsonage was placed, having enclosed the same within 
a fence and claimed it as his own, a committee was chos- 
en to act in the matter as they thought proper. In 
February 1687 a committee was raised to examine the 
book of records, and "coppie out any enterics that are 
therein which they conceive have been greevous to any 
of us in time past, or that may be unprofitable to us in 
time to come &c." Accordingly several votes were 
"coppied" out and annulled ; among others one to 
build a ministry house during Mr. Bayleys residence. 
Doubtless this vote relates to the long and serious trou- 
bles which raged for several years about this time. It 
is probable, that in the heat of debate and controversy, 
many injudicious expressions were uttered and record- 
ed. This act destroyed them, and they no longer re- 
buked their authors. 

A large portion of the people opposed Mr. Lawson's 



HISTOEY OF DAN\'ERS. 227 

labors, and were unAvilling that he should be ordained. 
At length a council was called to settle the differences, 
consisting of Messrs. Bartholomew Gednej, John Hath- 
orne, Wm. Brown Jr., John Higginson and Nicholas 
Noyes, who recommended the parish to preserve the 
old book of records, and to repeal such votes as were of- 
fensive to any one, and thus, have a harmonious ordina- 
tion. The breach was impassable hoAvever, and in 
1688, Mr. Lawson removed to Scituate and took charge 
of the South Society in that place. 

The following is extracted from the Church Record : 

*'Nov. 30, 1688, Nathaniel Sheldon, well on mon- 
day, sick tuesday, distracted thursday, and so continued 
till friday he died." 

^•Dec. 20 Lh, Sam. Wilkins a very naughty man, and 
died hopelessly." 

In June 1689, Rev. Samuel Parris was invited to 
Salem Village and he accepted the call. His salary 
was to be £66, one third money and two thirds provis- 
ion, — the parish to give more if ''God blessed them, 
and he to abate if they were not favored." Nov. 19th, 
a church was embodied, comprising besides those in 
the neighborhood, the following persons from the 1st 
Church: Bray Wilkins and wife, John Patnam and 
wife, Nathaniel Ingersoll, Ezekiel Cheever, Peter Pres- 
cott, John Patnam Jr. and wife, Deliverance Wolcott, 
Jonathan Patnam and wife, Sarah Patnam, Nathaniel 
Putnam, Joshua Ray and wife, Thomas Patnam, Ed- 
ward Patnam, Peter Cloyce, Benjamin Putnam and 
wife, Henry Wilkins, and Benjamin Wilkins and wife. 
The vote inviting Mr. Parris is recorded thus : "that 



i ■ — m 

228 HISTORY OF D AX VERS. 



we will give to Mr. Parice our menestrye hoase and 
farme, and too akers of land next ajoyning to tbe house : 
and that Mr. Parice take ofice upon him amongst vs, 
and Live and dye in the work of the menestrye amongst 
vs." The 1st Parish in Salem was not willing to lose 
the benefits accruing to it from the people of the vil- 
lage, and accordingly we find that it compelled thera 
not only to dafray their own parish charges, but to as- 
sist in supporting its minister. In the year 1G90, the 
village asked instructions of the General Court, to know 
if they must support their own parish, and assist the 
first parish also. The petitioners were John Putnam 
Thomas fi'aller, ffrancis Nurs, Daniel Andrew, and, 
Thomas Patnam. This petition they renewed in li392, 
to the selectmen of Salem, asking the privilege of reg- 
ulating their parish alone, "or elce cleer vs from all 
town charges, and then we will maintaine all our own 
poor: and Highways: and paye our county rates with 
the town of Salem." 

The following extract from the Church Books in 
the writing of Mr. Parris will show us that the condi- 
tion of the minister in ancient times was not always as 
enviable as we are apt to suppose. 

"8, Oct. 1691. Being my Lecture day, after pub- 
lic service was ended, I was so bare of firewood, that I 
was forced publicly to desire the Lihabitants to take 
care that I might be provided for, telling them had it 
not been for Mr. Corwin (who had brought wood, being 
here at my house,) I should hardly have any to burn." 

June 28th, lG91,Nath'lLigersoll was chosen first dea- 
I con. Aug. 3d, 1691 the parish ask the Generivl Court 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 229 

to issue an order "compelling the severall fameleye s 
which line ajacent to vs, and are constant comers to 
our meating house to be sum waye helpful to vs to main- 
taine our minister &c." In 1G92 the great witchcraft 
excitement broke out, and made dreadful liavoc in the 
church. Mr. Parris took so active a part in that awful 
tragedy, and rendered himself so obnoxious to the people 
that in 1693 it w^as proposed to make void his salary, 
(c.) The feelings of opposition increased against him, 
until June 30th, 1693, when he Vv'as obliged to leave his 
charge. During the heat of the excitement of 16- 
92, Mr. Lawson the former minister preached a sermon 
at Salem Village, applicable to its singular difficulties, 
which was published, entitled '* Christ's fidelity the only 
shield against Satan's malignity." Mr. Parris resided 
in the Village about a year after he left his charge. 
See Biography. 

After Mr. Parris left, unsuccessful attempts were 
made to settle Rev. Mr. Pemberton and Mr. Bajdey, 
the former minister. Nov. 5th, 1696 was observed as 
a "day of humiliation to seek direction of the All-wise 
God consarning a minister, and wee desire that the 
reverend Mr. Haile, Mr. Noice, Mr. Gerrish and Mr. 
Pairpoint, to be helpfuU, &c." Mr Emerson preached 
the last Sunday in October, and fruitless efforts w^ere 
made to procure the services of Rev. Simon "Broad- 
streat" for^halfe a year." Simon Bradstreet, grand- 
son of Gov. Bradstreet, was born Nov. 16th, 1669. 
He preached at Medford and Charlestown, and died 
Dec. 31st, 174—. In February 169T Rev. Nath'l 
Rogers was invited. Nathaniel Rogers a descendant 



230 HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 

of the martyr John, was born in Ipswich Feb. 22d, 16- 
70, settled at Portsmouth in 1699 and died there Oct. 
3d, 1723. A suit was this year instituted againstMr. 
Parris to obUge him to surrender the house and hinds 
he occupied, belonging to the parish. Mr. Parris com- 
menced a counter-suit These were finally settled, and 
Mr. Parris moved from the town. 

In August, 1697, the invitation to Mr. Rogers was 

renewed. Oct. 5th was observed as a day of fasting 

and prayer. During this month, Mr. Hale preached 

one or two Sundays. In December, Mr. Joseph Green 

I was invited; and thenoxt month he accepted. His sal- 

' ary w^as to be £'oO per annum. At his installation, the 

I churclies in Salem, Beverly, Wenham, Reading and 

! Roxbury were represented. The half-way Covenant 

i was instituted during his ministry. 

I In the year 1700, a movement was made to build a 

I meeting-house "48 foot long, 42 foot wide and 20 foot 

between joynts :" tobe "lathed and plastered upon the 

I planks with Limb and haire ; to be built as far as pos- 

I sible by men of the village ; to be completed within 

' two years, and tobe "sett vpon Watch House hill, be- 

i fore Deacon IngersoU's door." This house was finished 

' at a cost of c£330 old tenor, =£17 new tenor, equal to 

! $156.66 ! The old house was sold. Yfatch house hill 

i is the swell of land occupied by the First Cong. Church. 

As there were some who wished to leave the parish 

j and join the Second Church in Beverly, it was voted 

! in 1711 "that when those that petition shall have built 

I a meeting house and settled a minister amongst them, 

i and maintaine an authordox minister amono-st them. To 



■ . ; ,. j^ 

IIISTOIIT OF DANYER.-?. 231 ' ' 



Witt : Capt. Thomas Rajment, and ^Ir. Joseph herick, 
Jonathan Rajment and William Porter, that is, all his 
land that lyeth to the Estward side of frostfish river, 
that then we dismiss them from any further charge to 
the ministry among vs, in the Village." 

On the 25th, of October 1715, Mr Green departed 
this life universally regretted and esteemed. 

In August of the following year Rev. Peter Clark 
was invited to settle at a salary of X60, with a present 
of X90. He accepted, commenced his labors in Janu- 
ary and was ordained June 5th, 1717. The churches 
m Beverly, Wenham, Reading and Topsfieid were 
present. 

The neighbors at Wills Hill set forth in a petition 
to the Village, that they lived too far to attend worship 
there, and asked leave to join with those of Topsfieid, 
Boxford, and Andover in building a meeting house on 
"a track of ground beginning at the hornbeam tree at 
Ipswich river which is Boxford bound," and so on up 
the west side of the river to Reading line, up Reading 
line to Andover line, up Andover lino to Boxford line, 
and back to the hornbeam tree. It was replied to them 
that their prayer should be granted, when they should 
build a house and settle an "authordox" minister. In 
1724 a bell was procured by "superscription/' and 
hung by Capt. Thomas Flint. 

The people at Will's Hill proposed that their boun- 
dary line should cross the upland from CromwelFs Rock, 
(d) but the village voted that Cromwell's brook should 
be the boundary. In 1727 the rates at Will's hill were 
abated, and in 1728 the lands at Will's Hill were all 



232 HISTORY OF dan vers. 



absolved from taxes. It was voted to build a new par- 
sonage in Jan. 1734 "23 ft long, 18 ft broad and 15 ft 
stud." At this time choir singing was unknown, Psalms 
were read line by line in response to the pastor, hy the 
deacon. 

In the year 1740 Rev. George Whitefield then in the 
zenith of his greatness, preached in Salem in the pres- 
ence of Mr. Clarke. He says in his journal "I preach- 
ed to about 2000. Mr. C k, a good minister seem- 
ed almost in heaven." 

Many people had bedn in the habit of consulting for- 
tune tellers, and the prevalence of this superstitious 
custom led the church in 1746 to vote, "that for Chris- 
tians to consult reputed witches or fortune tellers, this 
church firmly believe on the testimony of the word of 
God, is highly impious and scandalous, being a violation 
of the Christian covenant, rendering the persons guilty 
of it subject to the just censure of the church. Voted, 
that the Pastor, in the name of the Church, publicly tes- 
tify their abhorrence of this practice, warning all under 
their watch and care to guard against it." March 11th 
1749 a contribution of .£13, 8 shil., was collected to. 
ransom the daughter of David Woodwell of Hopkinton, 
from Indian captivity. 

In the year 1768 ]\Ir. Clark's health deserted him, 
and he was compelled to forego the labors of the pulpit. 
It therefore became necessary to procure some other 
person during his inability, to labor in his stead. The 
additional burden which this course imposed, led the 
people of the Village to fall back upon the terms origi- 
nally q^greed upon between the parties. Although 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 233 



these terms were £Q0 per annum, yet owing to the de- 
preciation of the currency, the parish had given for 18 
years, £90. As Mr. Clark was unable to perform his 
duties, the parish fell back upon £G0. This caused a 
difference between minister and people, which not only 
ran high here, but caused an article to appear in a 
newspaper published in Boston, accusing the people of 
the parish, of faithlessness and cruelty to their tried ser- 
vant. A committee was chosen to defend the parish, 
which they did in the same paper. After setting forth 
the merits of the case, and affirming that Mr. Clark 
has received for man}^ years <£oO more than the orig- 
inal contract, and that he has the best estate in the 
parish, they close thus: "They think therefore, that 
far from remorse at their conduct, those passages, 
(which the author of the aforesaid piece has with res- 
pect to them, cited for a very different purpose,) they 
may with humble confidence apply to themselves, viz : 
'the liberal soul shall be made fat,' and watered with 
"the blessing from above,^' and with "the dew of lieav- 
en." And now to have done, would only recommend 
to his consideration the following : 'The lip of truth 
shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but 
for a moment.' 

Mr. Clark died in 1TG8, after ministering to the 
parish fifty-two years. After Lis death Kev. Amos 
Sawyer was invited to be his successor, but he deermed, 
alleging as a reason, that the parish was divided. A 
council was called to consider the diifereiices, consisting 
of Rev. Messrs. Chipman. Diraoiul, Barnard, Smith, 
Holt, Sherman, Stone, and eight lay delegates. Mr. 



20 



234 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

Sawjer died Sept. 21st, 1769, before the Council con- 
vened, and tlius the differences ceased. 

June 4th, 1770, vvas observed as a day of fasting. 

March 14th, 1771, "Voted that in case any Person 
that dont belong to the Parish should want to use the 
Burying cloths, the keeper is to let them goo, they 
paying him one shilling four pence for the use of the 
Great Cloth, and eight pence for the use of the Small 
Cloth &c." This year Rev. Joseph Currier was invi- 
ted, who declined, because the parish was in a condi. 
tion resembling that mentioned in 1st Cor. i. 2. (e.) 

There was a great deal of difficulty in settling a 
minister; differences increased and multiplied, and it 
seemed as though union Avas never to be hoped for. 

At length Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth was called, on 
the 17th of September, 1772. He accepted Nov. 5th, 
and was ordained December 23d. Introductory Praj^er 
by Rev. Mr. Ilolt of the south parish ; Sermon by Rev. 
Mr. Robbins of Milton ; Charge and Prayer by Rev. 
t Mr. Morrill of Wilmington ; Right Hand of Fellowship, 
by Rev. Mr. Smith of Middleton, and Concluding 
Prayer by Rev. Mr. Swain of Wenham. Watts's 
Hymns were used on this occasion, and Nov. 3d, 1775, 
the church agreed to try them for 8 Sabbaths. 

The ordination was a scene of great joy. All the 
houses in the parish were thrown open, — different kinds 
of liquor flowed in every direction, feasting and mirth 
prevailed, and on the authority of Hon. Judge Holten, 
one man wore out a new pair of boots in dancing on the 
sanded floors. Although mid- winter, yet during the 

'ti 



HISTORY OP DANVERS. 235 

ordination services, the cliurcli mndows were opened, 
and the air was mild and genial. 

This parish, warmlj^ zealous in the war, expressed a 
willingness to tax property to any amount to raise funds. 
Mr. WadsAvorth desired to bear his part of the town's 
expenses. He engaged to receive his salary for the 
year 1780 and so long as the war should continue, in 
produce at the following prices : Wool a 9 s. Flax a 
5 s, Rye a 30 s, Indian Corn a 25 s, Oak Wood a £ 5, 
Beef a Is, 6d, and Pork a 2 s. 

In 1783 it was proposed and voted by tlie parish to set 
off the North Parish, and incorporate it as a separate 
town, but as the rest of the town thought differently, it 
was not accomplished. 

April 11th, 1785, it was voted "to build a new meet- 
ing house where the old one stands, 60 feet in length, 
46 feet in width, 28 feet stud, a steeple 14 feet square 
at one end, a porch at the other 12 feet square ; 58 
pews on the platform, 5 seats for men and 5 for 
women." Some desired a brick liouse, and others a 
wooden one, but when it was ascertained that the cost of 
a brick house was <£864, while one could be erected of 
Wood for ^350, it was decided to build a house of 
wood. 

In 1788, rates were abated of Samuel Cheever, 
Jer. Hutchinson, James Smith, John Swinnerton, 
Henry Putnam, Nath'l Webb, William Gilford, Ben- 
jamin Gilford and Mrs. Eunice Hutchinson, because 
they entertained religious sentiments diafering from 
those professed by the church. — A porch was added 
to the meeting house in 1793, 12 feet by 8. In 1800 



236 HISTORY or danvers. 



j the parsonage was sold to Hon. Samuel Holten for $18," 
I 25. In 1802 the body of the meeting house was paint- 
! ed stone color, and the weather boards white. A new 
I bell was purchased, weighing 674 lbs., — at a cost 
I of $360. 

j " Sept. 24tli, 1805, before the dawning of the day, 
i the meeting house was discovered to be on fire and was 
j burnt to the ground in a short time. It was supposed 
j to be sot on fire by some incendiary, and a man by the 
i name of Holten Goodale was arrested the same evening, 
j and after examination the next day was. committed to 
I prison. But having his trial at the next session of the 
I Supreme Judicial Court that Avas holden at Salem, he 
I appeared to be an insane person, and was therefore 

sentenced to receive no punishment but that of confine - 
i ment as a lunatick." 

j Notwithstanding tills discouraging loss, the energy 
I of the parish was not destroyed ; a new house of brick 
I was immediately projected and finished. It was O'o feet 
j long, 56 feet wide and 28 feet high, with a steeple, or 

tower, 16 feet 4 inches square, on the end towards the 

road leading from Andover to Salem. The whole cost 

Avas gll,300,00. 
( The following persons were severed from the South, 
I and were annexed to the North Parish in 1806 : Sam- 
I uel Page, John and Moses Endicott, Nathaniel Put- 
I nam, Samuel Fowler Jr., Caleb Cakes, William Pindar, 
I Jaspar Needham, John Gardner Jr., and Amos Flint. 
j The long and arduous labors of Benjamin Wadsworth, 
I D. D., were closed by death in the 3-earl826. As he 
j was unable to fill his pulpit. Rev. Thomas M. Smith 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 237 

preached 6 months m 1825. Mr. Waclsworth had been 
pastor of one flock for more than half a century, and died, 
full of years and honor. He left alegac3^ of $1-50,00 
to the parish. Rev. Milton Palmer Braman, the pres- 
ent minister, succeeded him. He was born in Rowle^^, 
August 6, 1799, graduated at Harvard in 1819, and 
was ordained on the second Yf ednesdaj in April, 1826, 
at a salary of §700.00. The services were per- ^ 
formed by Messrs. Putnam, Braman, Briggs, Walker, 
Boardman and Perry. The half-way scheme was abol- 
ished on his settlement. In the year 1833 the parson- 
age owned by the society at present, was given to it, 
mainly by Mrs. Mehitabel Oakes and daughters. From 
Jan. 30, 1835, all new mambors of the church were re- 
quired to abstain from ardent spirits, except as medicine. 
The old parish was abolished in the year 1838, and incor- 
porated anew under the name of the First Religious So- 
ciety in Danvers. A very large and convenient house 
of worship 83 feet by Q'5, was finished and dedicated 
November 21st, 1889. 

In the year 1810 jMr. Braman's health declined, and 
he asked a dismission from his society. He was ur- 
gently requested to remain, and the society supplied his 
pulpit until his health returned. In the year 1813 Mr. 
Braman felt compelled to renew his reqriest, and a coun. 
cil of clergjmien was called to decide whether it should 
be granted. The council recommended that the society 
should consider its minister's health, and release him as 
much as possible from labor. The advice vras followed, 
and the connection preserved, until January 1815, when 
the request was renewed and granted. But an eccle- ') 

>■ = ^ — ■ rr ::! .S3 



238 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 



siastical council recommended the continuance of the re 
lation, and it is still preserved. The society is now in 
a flourishing condition, having a church of 175 mem- 
bers, a Sunday school of 180 scholars, with a library of 
425 volumes. 

Mr. Eraman has distinguished himself by holding a 
public oral discussion with Rev. Thomas AYhittemore, 
and by preaching an Election and publishing several 
other sermons, which evince uncommon research and ex- 
cellent ability. 



II. SOUTH PARISH. 

The second parish, or Middle Precinct, was formed 
like the Village parish, for convenience. The popula- 
tion of the town had increased, the original Church at 
Salem was large, and the distance for many of the peo- 
ple in that part now known as South Danvers, was too 
great to travel. Accordingly, the Middle Precinct was 
established, (f) 

The following is a list of the Petitioners for a lot 
of land on which to erect a Meeting House in the 
South Parish at the Annual March Meeting 1709-10. 

Samuel Marble, John Nurse, /braham Pierce, 
James Houlton, Samuel Cutler, Ebenezer Cutler, Sam- 
uel King, Samuel Stone, James Gould, William King, 
Stephen Small, Ezekiel Marsh, Benjamin Very, Ezeki- 
el Goldthwaite, Nath'i Waters, John Jacobs, Richard 
Waters, Samuel Cook, David Foster, Nathaniel Felton, 
John AYaters, Israel Shaw, Jacob Read, John Trask, 
Nathaniel Tompkins, WiUiam Osborne jr., John 0. 



HISTORY OF DAJy^VERS. 239 

Waldin, Anthony H. Needham, John Marsh, Benjamin 
Marsh, Samuel Stacey sen., Samuel Stacey, William 
Oshorne, John W. Burton, Benjamin C. Proctor, Elias 
Trask, John Giles, John Gardner, George Jacobs, John 
Felton, Robert AYilson, Eben. Foster, Jonathan King, 
Skelton Felton, Henry Cook, Joseph Douty, Thorndike 
Proctor, Samuel Goldthwait, Samuel Goldthwait jr., 
John King, John King jr., Samuel Endicott, Nathani- 
el Felton. 

The first record on the parish books is as follows: "A 
Genii meeting of ye Inhabitants of ye Middle Precinct 
of Salem, This 28 of November 1710 : A^oted John 
Gardner Chosen Clerk. Yoted that there be a conven- 
ient Meeting Hous Bult for ye Publick Worship of 
God with all convenient speed > in this Middle Precinct, 
and that it be Erected on ye place of ground granted 
by the Town for that End." On the 30th of the same 
month it was " agreed that ye Building be 48 feat 
long, and 35 wid, and 21 feat stud so as to have tw^o 
Galaris. Agreed that Mr. Samuel Cutler, Mr. Robert 
Willson, Mr. Jno. Waters, Be Undertakers for ye 
Workmanship of ye hous, and are to haue 23 9d per 
day for so many days as they work from this present 
time till ye 10 day of March next, and then 3s per 
day so long as ye Comity sees Good." The dimen- 
sions were afterwards changed ; it was decided that 
the house should be 51 feet long and 38 foot broad, and 
"that ye 4 Beams be soported with Eyern bars Got and 
maid ready and sutible at ye works." A day of fast- 
ing was held in October 1711 because God had guided 
the people, and especially because they wxre about to 



240 HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 



call a minister. The house was finished during this 
month, (g.) 

The following persons contributed towards building 
the house : James Houlton, John Houlton, Wm. King, 
Alexander Prince, Samuel Goldtliwaite Jr., Daniel 
Foster, John Nurse, Joseph Dowtj, Nathaniel Houl- 
ton, John King Jr., Widow Cutler, John Trask, Sam- 
uel Gardner, John Jacobs, Ezek Marsh, Nathaniel Fol- 
som, Joseph Flint, Mr. Green, Abel Gardner, Thorn- 
dike Proctor, Richard Waters, Samuel Endicott, Nath'l 
Folsom's son, Samuel Marble, Samuel Folsom, Benja- 
min Proctor, Jonathan Stone, Benjamin Nurse, Samuel 
Stone's son, S. Cook, B. Very, Stephen Small, Jacob 
Read, Wm. Osborn, John Houlton, Jonathan Marsh, 
Samuel Felton, Daniel Epes, John Felton, James Houl- 
ton, Ml'. Ketchin, Ezekiel Marsh, Abraham Pierce, 
George Jacobs, and Samuel Marvel. 

Rev. Benjamin Prcscott was settled as first pastor of 
the church and parish in February 1712, with a salary 
of c£80, and the ''strangers money." The warrant for 
the collection of parish rates for the year 1720^ com- 
mands John Tarball, Collector, to collect the amounts 
due the parish, and on the failure of the people to pay, 
he is to "distrain the goods or chatties of the person or 
persons soe refusing, for ye payment of ye same, and 
for want of goods or chatties, whereon to make distress, 
you are to seize the body or bodyes of the person or per- 
sons so refusing, and are then to commit to ye common 
gaoll in Salem, untill he or they pay or satisfie the sum or 
sums that they are Rated or assessed." 

In consideration of repeated deaths and extraordina- 



IIISTOKY OP DANVERS. 241 

ry charges in Mr. Prescott's family, his saUiry was in- 
creased X20, in the year 1723. From this time on- 
ward it remained the same, excepting what money was 
raised by quarterly voluntary contributions, until 1735, 
when his salary was increased to X150, and in 1737-8 
it became £200. In 1740 it was voted to give Mr. 
Prescott 25 cords of wood in addition to X150, old ten- 
or, which was to be his salary from that date. In 1743 
it was voted to give Mr. Prescott £270, for his salary. 
There was a source of difficulty which sprung up be- 
tween the two parishes in the year 1743. Capt. Sam- 
uel Endecott, John Porter, Benja. Porter, John Eadi- 
cott, and James Prince, of the village, endeavored to en- 
croach upon the rights of the Middle Precinct, by inclu- 
dinir within the villa2:e bounds some of those who belonged 
in the other parish. Daniel Epes, Jr., Daniel Gardner 
and John Proctor, Jr., were appointed to go to the Gen- 
eral Court and oppose the motion, which was done 
successfully. The same year Mr. Prescott's salary 
was increased to £300, and in 1747 £100 were added, 
and in 1749 it was swelled to £620. At this time, 

! dilferences arose between Mr. Prescott and his peo- 
ple, and in 1750 he laid a complaint before the As" 
sessors of Salem, and the parish raised £20 to defray 
the expenses of conducting the matter. It was settled 

I at last as follows : The parish agreed to give Mr. 

I Prescott £350, for the year 1752, if he would give 

j them a discharge and no longer minister to them in 
"holy things," — besides a present of £6Q 13s. 4d. 
He engaged, on receiving £80, value, good currency, 
for the years 1749-50-51, to leave the pulpit three 



242 HISTORY OF DANYERS. 

months, and if, in that time, a minister was selected 
he would relinquish his claim, — if otherwise, he should 
remain. 

Rev. Aaron Putnam was unanimously invited to take 
the charge of the parish in July, 1754, but the difficul- 
ties which prevailed, forced him to decline. An Eccle- 
siastical Council decided that the parish ought to give 
Mr. Prescott 465 iC to settle the pecuniary matters at 
Issue between them, besides paying the expenses of the 
Council which were 118c£. 14s. Id. Rev. Josiah 
Stearns was invited in Sept. 1757, and was offered <£80 
and the parsonage lands as his salary ; he desired more, 
and the parish did not come up to his demand. Mr. 
Prescott left in 1757. 

Rev. Nathan Holt was invited to settle in August 17- 
58, and he accepted at a salary of £80. In June 1763 
it was voted that "there be two seats on the easterly side 
of ye broad ally for a number of persons to assist the dea- 
con in tuning ye psalm." This is probably the first depar- 
ture from the old Conirre2;ational method of sinmno;. Mr. 
Holt's salary was increased to j£100 in 1764. The differ- 
ences between the parishes were settled in 1764, by a 
mutual agreement to abide by the bounds established 
n 1700. 

'•On the Petition of Capt. Israel Hutchinson, Benja- 
min Porter ye 3d, and others Inha of sd South Parish 
in Danvers, praying that they may be set off to the 
North Parish in said Danvers, where they say they havo 
a great Desire to be joyned : Tlierefore Voted, that we 
cant consent that ye above said Petitioners should be 
sett oJGf for the Following Reasons (viz.) because we 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 243 H 



think yt ye North Parish is as able, if not abler, to 
maintain their minister without said petitioner's assist- 
ance, as we are in ye South Parish with sd Petitioners 
I assistance, Because we have a Considerable Number 
of the People called Quakers, some Churchmen and 
some Baptists &c." In 1771, voted to widen the 
house (i) 15 feet. In 1774, a steeple was built at the 
west end of the house. 

This parish was very zealous in sustaining the Rev- 
olutionary War, constantly furnishing men and money. 
In the year 1777, £1200 were raised for that purpose, 
and in 1778 about .£400, while in the year 1779 above 
X8000, were advanced. 

In 1780, a suit of clothes was given to Mr. Holt. 
The front seat in the women's gallery was given to the 
singers in May, 1784. In 1790, three pews were 
added to the house, and a part of the m Beting house 
land was let to the ^'Proprietors of the duck manufac- 
ture." The Artillery Company had leave in Sept. 1791 
to erect a gunhouse on land belonging to the meeting 
house. Mr. Holt died Aug. 2d, 1792, and the parish vo- 
ted to continue his salary to the end of the year for the 
benefit of his family, besides assuming the expenses 
I of his sickness and death. Mr. Holt published a Ptight 
Hand of Pellowship address, delivered at the ordina- 
tion of Rev. I. Willard. In March, 1793, the house 
was thoroughly repaired. Rev. Samuel Mead was 
pastor from 1794 to 1803. The records of this time 
are lost, and but little is now known of the history 
of this period. 

In the year 1805, R3V. Samuel Walker was set- 



244 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

tied as minister. He continued to labor assiduously 
for a period of 21 years, and died July 7th, 1826, 
after a painful illness of three months. Rev. Bro\Yn 
Emerson, of Salem, preached his funeral sermon, and 
the parish erected a stone above his remains. He 
was 40 years of age, and was highly respected and 
beloved for his virtues. He published two Fast Day 
Discourses and perhaps others. A reward of twenty 
dollars was offered October 9th, 1813, fovthe detec- 
tion of a person who had ^'sacreligiously and repeat- 
edly robbed this house of God of the tongue of its 
bell." In 1814, a new bell was purchased and 
erected at an expense of $675.00. In 1819, the 
land in the rear of the meeting house was leased to 
the proprietors of a chapel, and sundry persons were 
empowered to erect horse sheds around the house. 
An additional act of incorporation was passed by the 
Legislature, declaring that no person could be a vo- 
ter in the Society affoirs unless he owned one half 
a floor, or a whole gallery pew. The Church was 
repaired in 1824, at an expense of $400.00. 

It was voted in July, 1827, to exclude all wines 
and spirituous liquors from the Councils and ordina- 
tion services. Rev. George Cowles was settled as 
pastor of the Society on September 12th, of the 
same year, and in the year following the Legislature 
passed an act dissolving the old parish, and erecting 
a proprietory in its place. Mr. Cowles was born in 
New Hartford, Conn., March 11th, 1798, graduated 
at Yale in 1821, and at Andover in 1824. The 
bell cracked in xipril 1829. The parish commanded 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 245 

the school committee to remove school house No. 11 
from the spot it occupied in September 1830. The 
school committee objected, and the following year the 
society offered a small piece of land in another place for 
a trifling consideration, and threatened to proceed ac- 
cording to law, if its request was not complied with ; — 
the house was removed. 

In the year 1835 it was voted to build a new church, 
and the appropriate measures w^ere taken to effect that 
object. The Unitarian Society oflfered the Second 
Congregational Society the use of its house during the 
time it was destitute, but the latter worshipped in a 
hall during the period its house was building. The 
" Old South " was taken down in 1836, according to 
the following 

MEMORANDUM. 

''The original house of worship, built in 1711, for 
the South Society in Danvers, (or w^hat was then called 
Salem Middle Precinct,) having stood 125 years, was 
in the Autumn of 1836, taken down and removed ; its 
location was on the ground now enclosed as the front 
yard of the new meetinghouse." (j.) 

In September 1836, Mr. Cowles was dismissed agree- 
able to his own request. He perished in the "wreck of 
the Home." 

Rev. Harrison G. Park was invited as his successor, 
Dec. 5th of the same year. The new Church was fin- 
ished at a cost of §12,000,00, and dedicated February 
1st, 1837. Mr. Park was installed the same day. In 



21 



246 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 



October of the year following, he dissolved the muiiste- 
rial relation. 

llev. Thomas P. Field received a unanimous invita- 
tion to take the pastoral charge, in June 1840, and took 
up his residence in the October following. The church- 
was sold to the Methodist Society in 1843 for $2500, 
and a new church was commenced. When partly fin- 
ished it was consumed in the destructive fire of Septem- 
ber 22d, 1843. The loss of property was about §7000,- 
00, of which §5000,00 were insured. The society 
persevered in erecting a house on the same site, which 
was finished, and dedicated August 10th, 1844, at a cost 
of ^13,000,00. This splendid temple is an ornament 
to the town. The society is large and flourishing, and 
there is a church attached of 266 members, a Sunday 
school with 175 scholars, and a librarjr of 660 vol- 
umes. I 

III. FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY. ! 

In November of the 3^ear 1781, a portion of the pco- i 
pie of Danvers, who believed that the principles main, i 
tained^'by the people called anti-pedo-baptists were most 
agreeable to the Holy Scriptures," drew up a constitu- 
tion setting forth the foundation of a future societ}^ 
They pledged themselves to abide b^^ no parish lines | 
made by man, and affirmed that no man ought to be 
compelled to pa}^ money to support preaching, unless 
he thought proper. At the first meeting, held on the 
2Gth of November, Capt. Gideon Foster was chosen 
Moderator. The meetings to consider plans of future 

g — - — —m 



HISTORY OF DANVER3. 247 

operation ,were generally held at the dwelling house of 
Aaron Cheever. 

At length a meeting house ^Yas completed at New 
Mills, in the year 1783, and in January of the year 
following, Rev. Benjamin Foster was invited to preach 
for the Society six months, which invitation he accept- 
ed. In February,- the pews were sold at public vendue, 
by xiaron Cbeever ; they brought about $2,000. In De- 
cember of the same year Mr. Foster was engaged to 
supply the pulpit until May 1785. He remained but two 
years, and the Society did not have constant preaching 
for nine years. In March 1789, the Committee was 
instructed to procure preaching once each month. In 
the following year the Society listened to preaching 
one third of the time, and in the year 1791 the servic- 
es of Rev. Mr. Grossman were secured for one fourth 
of the time. The next year a preacher was employed 
one half of the time. 

In 1793, Rev. Thomas Green was engaged as pastor 
of the Society, and was to have all that could be raised 
for that year, which proved to be <£79, 4s. Mr. Green 
remained about three years, when he removed to North 
Yarmouth, Me. July 16th 1793, a church was or- 
ganized. 

From the year 1796 until the the year 1802 differ- 
ent preachers ministered, none of whom remained long. 
At length in the year 1802, Rev. Jeremiah Chaplin 
was obtained as spiritual teacher. He remained, break- 
ing the bread of hfe to the people, until May 1818, 
when he received an appointment in the Elaine Literary 
and Theological Institution, located at Waterville. He 






g- ^ - — -m 

248 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

was a native of Rowley, and a graduate of R. I. Col- 
lege. He served his people faithfully for a term of 
sixteen years, and at his departure, a very complimen- 
tary addres was tendered him, and his loss was much re- 
gretted, (k.) 

In July 1818, Rev. James A. Boswell succeeded Mr. 
Chaplin. He was ordained on the ninth of June 1819, 
Dr. Benjamin Wadsworth and Rev. Samuel Walker as- 
sisting in the services. In the course of the same year, 
seventy-five persons were incorporated as the First Bap- 
tist Society. Mr. Boswell resigned his charge in the 
year 1820, and in January of the following year Rev. 
Arthur Drinkwater accepted an invitation to settle over 
the Society. In the year 1821, Mr. Israel Hutchin- 
son resigned the office of clerk which he had held for 
30 years. On the 7th day of December 1821 Mr. 
Drinkwater was ordained, Dr. Wadsworth and Rev. 
Mr. Walker assisting in the Installation services. In 
the year 182(3, the Legislature empowered the Society 
to raise its funds byf^xing pews, and in the year 1828, 
the meeting house having become old and inconveni- 
ent, it was sold to Messrs Benjamin Kent, Arthur Drink- 
water, Samuel Fowler, Daniel Hardy, and Edward 
Richardson, for §400. It was rem.oved from the site 
it had so long occupied, to Danvers Plains, where it is 
now used as a currier's shop, by Mr. John A. Leroyd. 
Mr. Drinkwater sundered his connection with the 
society in June 1829, carrying warm testimonials with 
him. During the last year of his stay, a church was 
erected on the old spot, at an expense of about $5000. 
It was dedicated in the Spring of 1829. In May 
m -— — — -: M 



HISTOllY OF DAN VERS. 249 



1830, Rev. James Barnabj of Amesburj, took pasto- 
ral chai'ge of the church and society, and remained 
until 1832, vfhen Eev. John H. lloh-oyd removed to 
Dan vers and became their pastor. He dissolved his 
connection in the year 1837, and the Spring follo\Ying 
Rev. E, W. Dickenson Avas elected as his successor. 
He resigned his charge in one year, and in 1841 Rev. 
J. H. Avery accepted a call. In the year 1842, 
Hercules H. Josselyn ceased to be clerk, he having 
faithfully discharged the duties of that office, for a peri- 
od of twenty years. Mr. Avery severed his relation 
with his flock in the spring of 1843, ttnd in July of the 
same year, Rev. Joseph W. Eaton was settled. Mr. 
Eaton is the present incumbent. Connected with the 
society is a church of 120 members, and a Sunday 
School of 90 scholars. 

Note. On the morning of Sept. 6th 1847, the 
Baptist Church was discovered to be on fire, and in 
spite of the most active exertions it was entirely con- 
sumed, together with a dwelling house owned by Aaron 
Eveleth. With the church, a vestry was destroyed, to- 
gether with most of a S. S. Library, and as there was 
no insurance, it was a total loss. A house is already 
projected, and the Society, it is hoped, will speedily 
recover its former prosperity. The Church and Soci- 
ety worship at present in Citizens' Hall. 

IV. FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY. 
Organized April 22d, 1815, under the title of "First 
Universal Society." It then consisted of nineteen 
members from Danvers, and four from Wenham, Avho de- 1' 

m ^- ^,,:^^,,,,:^^^._.^ 



1 250 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

clared themselves in their Constitution, dissatisfied with 
"those systems of Divinity which have for their funda- 
mental article, the eternal misery of the greatest part 
of mankind." Its first meetings were held in the school 
house in District No. 3, where Rev. Hosea Ballon per- 
formed a third service, during a few summer seasons. 
Different ministers in the order, hold meetings from that 
time onward, among others, lion. Charles Hudson, 
Rev's Walter Balfour, Lemuel Willis and others. The 
business meetings of the society were held in the school 
house in District No. 3. In 1830 it consisted of 87 mem- 
bers from Danvers, Beverl}^, Middleton and Wenham. 
During this year, it began to hold religious meetings in 
the "Old Baptist Meeting House" at New Mills, where it 
continued until 1833, when it moved into a new house 
which it now occupies, built for its use, and dedicated 
June 28, 1833, at an expense of §3,100,00. The 
Dedication services were as follows : Introductory 
Prayer by Rev. Benjamin Whittemore ; Dedicatory 
Prayer by Rev. Hosea Ballon ; Sermon by Rev. Hosea 
Ballou 2d. ; Address to the Society by Rev. Lemuel 
Willis ; Concluding Prayer by Rev. Sebastian Stree- 
ter. 

Rev. F. A. Hodsdon occupied the pulpit from xlpril 
1831 to July 1832, Rev. Daniel D. Smith in 1833, and 
in 1831 Rev. William H. Knapp became the pastor of 
the society, which at that time consisted of 101 mem- 
bers. 

Rev. Samuel Brimblecom took charge of the society 
in Dec. 1836, and accoaiphshed a faithful work during 
his stay. He was succeeded in 1810, by Rev. Asher 

5 . . ^ m^ 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 251 

A. Davis, who became very popular in his society, but 
his health soon failed, and he was obliged to suspend his 
labors. The society furnished him with the means to 
visit the West Indies in pursuit of health, and his pulpit 
was gratuitously supplied by the neighboring societies 
for six months. During his residence, a Church of 60 
members was formed. In the winter of 1842 the pul- 
pit was filled by Rev. D. P. Livermore, and in the 
spring of 18-13 Rev. S. C. Bulkley was settled. He 
was succeeded in June, 1846, by Rev. J. W. Hanson. 
The society now numbers about 100 families and the 
audience numbers about 200 average. It has a Sun- 
day School of 140 members, formed in 1831, and a li- 
brary of 600 volumes. 

Note. The 1st Universalist Society passed a vote 
of sympathy with the 1st Baptist Society, in conseciuence 
of the loss of its house by fire, and offered the Universal- 
ist Church to the sufferers for purposes of worship. 



V. FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH. 

Organized January 1st, 1825, " for the purpose of 
having a place in the South part of Danvers where an 
opportunity could be had of hearing sentiments more 
liberal and congenial with the true spirit of Christianity 
than is now afforded." It numbered at its commence- 
ment 33 members. A fine chapel was erected and ded- 
icated July 26th, 1826. The services of this occasion 
were : Introductory Prayer by Rev. Mr. Upham of Sa- 
lem, Reading of Scriptures by Rev. Mr. Colman of Sa- 
lem ; Praver by Rev. Dr. Abbott of P>everly ; Sermon 



252 HISTORY OF Dx\NVERS. 

by Rev. Mr. Brazer of Salem ; Concluding Prayer by 
Rev. Mr. Bartlett of ^larblebead. In April, 182T, a 
churcb was formed of 71 members, and on the lltb inst. 
Rev. Charles C. Sewall was installed as the first pastor. 
It was an occasion long to be remembered by the So- 
ciety. Besides the lay delegates, there were no less 
than 21 clergymen present, viz : Messrs. Greenwood, 
Pierpoint and Gannett of Boston ; Flint, Upham, Prince 
and Brazer of Salem ; White and Lamson of Dedliam ; 
Porter of Roxbury, Abbott of Beverly, Harris of Dor- 
chester, Bartlett of Marblehead, Green of Lynn, Ran- 
dall of Saugus, Pierce of Reading, Walker of Charles- 
town, Sanger of Dover, Flagg of Roxbury, Ripley of 
Waltham, and Stetson of Medford. The services were 
performed by Messrs. Bartlett, Green, Lamson, White, 
Flint, Upham and Brazer. Mr. Sewall was born in 
Marblehead May 10, 1802. In the year 1829 a sweet- 
toned bell was placed on the church. It has a fine or- 
gan presented by Messrs. Sutton. Mr. Sewall remained, 
faithfully discharging his arduous duties, and charming 
his friends by the benevolence and evangelical zeal 
which always distinguished his career, until the Summer 
of 1841, when he resigned his charge. His loss was 
deeply felt, and it was not until February 1843 that 
Rev. Andrew Bigelow, D. D. was installed as his suc- 
cessor. The services were as follows: Prayer by Rev. 
Mr. Thayer of Beverly ; Reading of Scriptures by 
Rev. Mr. Waite of Gloucester ; Sermon by Rev. Mr, 
Lothrop of Boston ; Prayer by Rev. Dr. Flint of Sa- 
lem ; Charge by Rev. ^Ir. Bartlett of Marblehead ; 
Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev. Mr. Ellis of CharleS' 



*S5 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 253 



town ; Address to the Society by Eev. Mr. Barrett of 
Boston ; Concluding Prayer by the late pastor. 

xigainst the expressed regrets of his society, Dr. 
Bigelow resigned his charge in the spring of 1845, and 
was succeeded by Rev. Frank P. Appleton, who was 
settled January 11th, 1816. The ordaining services 
were : Prayer by Rev. Mr. Thompson ; Selection of 
Scriptures by Rev. Mr. Allen ; Sermon by Rev. Mr. 
Hall ; Prayer by Dr. Flint ; Charge by Dr. Gannet ; 
Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev. Mr. Withington ; 
Address to the sociery by Rev. Mr. Sargent ; Conclu- 
! ding Prayer by Rev. Mr. Bartlett. The Communion 
I is free. The Sunday School numbers 70 scholars and 
owns 450 books, (l.) 

VI. FIRST METHODIST SOCIETY. 

In July 1830, Amos "Walton established a prayer 
meeting and Sunday school in Harmony Village, in 
connection with the South Street jMethodist Episcopal 
Church in Lynn. In the year 1833 a class was or- 
ganized, which met for a while in Goodridge's Hall, 
and subsequently in Armory Hall. In July 1839, Mr. 
Walton commenced preaching in Armory Hall, — the 
society at this time numberhig 23 persons. In 1840 
he was appvointed by the Conference at Lowell, as min- 
ister for Danvers, and in October of the same year, a 
Chapel was purchased of the 2d Congregationalist So- 
ciety. 

In 1842 Rev. Daniel Webb was appointed to locate 
at Danvers. In 1843 Dr. H. G. Barras became min- 
ister of the Societv. Rev. Amos Binney succeeded 

'I — — = ' -s 



254 HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 



him in the following year. Rev. Reuben Ransom was 
his successor, and in 1845 Rev. I. G. P. Coll^'Cr was 
stationed over the society. These gentlemen are all of 
the New England Conference. During the administra- 
tion of Mr. Collyer, a beautiful Vestry was added to the 
basement of the Church, at an expense of §750,00. 
The Church consists of 100 members, and there is a 
Sunday School attached with about 60 scholars, and a 
library of 100 volumes. The society now occupies its 
second house which was purchased in 1843. Within a 
short time Mr. Collyer has been succeeded by Rev. Z. 
A. Mudge. 

Vir. SECOND UNIVERSALTST SOCIETY. 

In January 1832, there was a paper drawn up in the 
South parish, setting forth, that there was a large num- 
ber of persons belonging to the parish, and in its vicin- 
ity, "who are believers in God's impartial lo\'e and 
goodness towards all mankind, who are under the ne- 
cessity of travelling a great distance to attend public 
worship, or go to meeting where they cannot be satis- 
fied." This paper called upon all who were willing to 
embark in the enterprise of erecting a Universalist 
Meeting House in the South Parish, to agree to take a 
certain number of shares in the said house. People in 
Danvers, Salem, and Lynnfield, subscribed a sufficient 
sum to build. 

On the 26th day of the following March a society was 
formed, consisting of 47 members. The first regular 
meeting was held on the 6th day of the next month. 
During the year 1832 a beautiful temple was erected 



m 1 

f. HISTORY OF DANYERS. 255 



! at a cost of $4000,00. On the lOtli of the Janimrj 
I following, it was publicly dedicated to the worship of 
I God, as follows : Introductory Prayer by Rqv. L. Wil- 
I lis of Salem ; Reading of Scriptures by Rev. T. Whit- 
1 temore of Cambridgeport ; Dedicatory Prayer by Rev. 
i S. Cobb of ^lalden ; Sermon by Rev. John Moore of 
j Lebanon, N. H. ; Concluding Prayer by Rev. L. S. 
i Everett of Charlestown. 

I Rev. John Moore of Lebanon, N. IL, accepted an 
I invitation to take pastoral charge of the Society in Feb- 
ruary 1833, and he was installed on the 4th day of the 
following April. Sermon by Rev. T. Jones, and the 
other services by Rev. Messrs. J. C. Waldo, L. S. Ev- 
erett, B. B. Murray, and L. Willis. Mr. Moore re- 
signed his charge in January 1834, and Rev. T. B. 
Thayer of Lowell was invited as his successor, which 
call he declined. Then Rev. J. M. Austin was invited, 
and installed April 29th, 1835. The Installation Ser- 
mon was pronounced by Rev. S. Cobb of Maiden, and 
the proper services were performed by Rev. Messrs. 
L. Willis, I. Brown, J. C. Waldo, and W. II. Knapp. 
In 1842 the Society consisted of 56 members. In 
1843 galleries were added to the house at an expense 
of about §400,00. In August 1844, after a faithful 
ministry of about ten years, Mr. Austin resigned his 
charge. Several very complimentary resolutions were 
passed, and his loss was universally regretted. 

The next (and present) pastor was Rev. John Prince, 
who was installed January 15th, 1845. Sermon by 
Rev. T. B. Thayer, and the other services by Rev. 
Messrs. J. Nichols, D.K. Lee, A. Peck, S. C. Bulkley, 



256 HISTORY or danvers. 

J. G. Adams and W. G. Cambridge. Mr. Prince is au- 
thor of a poetical volume entitled " Rural Lays and 
Sketches," and also of a Theological Work, called 
'' Lectures on the Bible." The church numbers 60 
members, and there is a Sunday School of about 100 
children, and a library of 500 volumes. 

VIII. THE COMEOUTERS. 

This religious party commenced its existence about 
the year 1840. From a very interesting sketch by Mr. 
William Endicott the following extracts are made : "A 
portion of the people of the country saw that the influ- 
ences of the Slave system were -woven into the texture 
of society. It was believed that the politics of the 
State, the Religion of the Church, and even the social 
circle, were contaminated by this enormous evil. It 
was considered by a portion of the Abolitionists, (in or- 
der to produce the destruction of SLavery,) necessary 
to purge the Church first, as it was ascertained that the 
Church sustained an intimate relation to Slavery. Ac- 
cordingly, agreeable to the sacred precept : " Come out 
of her my people, and be not partakers of her sins," 
they felt it their duty to withdraw^ all connection from 
those religious bodies, which did not sever themselves 
from the sin of supporting Slavery. As this passage of 
Scripture was made their watchword, they were soon 
designated by its leading words : Comeouters. 

^' Though they differ in many points, their bond of 
union lies in this : The Immediate Abolition of Amer- 
ican Slavery. As they spared no sect in their exam- 
inations and reproofs, they soon became obnoxious, and 
^ - ■ ■■ ■■ ■■ - . — 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 257 

the churches were closed upon them ; but they contin- 
ued to assemble as they had opportunity. Each theo- 
logical doctrine, — each mode of ecclesiastical action was 
commented upon with unrestrained freedom. Some 
were so daring as to enter churches, and speak during 
religious services. In some instances^ they were visited 
by the law." 

The Comeouters in Dan vers number about 40, and 
are distinguished for their bold opposition to their ideas 
of wrong, and for being faithful adherents to the Truth, 
as they understand it. 

IX. SECOND BAPTIST SOCIETY. 

Previous to the legal incorporation of this Society, it 
was temporarily organized, and held meetings in Armory 
Hall, South Danvers. Its first meeting was February 
22d, 1843, and on December 5th of the same year, 
Rev. Phineas Stowe was settled as Pastor of the Soci- 
ety, and remained as such until May 9, 1845. In the 
Spring of 1843, a neat Chapel was erected, Qd by 32 
ft., and pubhcly dedicated June 15th, 1843 ; Rev. 
Messrs. Banvard, Anderson and Carlton assisting in 
the services. In August, 1844, the Society was incor- 
porated, consisting at that time of 31 members. Rev. 
John G. Richardson took pastoral charge of the Society 
January 25th, 184G. Mv. Richardson has resigned his 
charge, and removed to Lawrence. 

A church was organized at the commencement, con- 
sisting of 27 members, which number has since been in- 
creased to 52. A Sunday School is attached to the So- 
cietv, having 36 children, and a Hbrary of 200 volumes. 

22 



258 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

X. THIRD CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY. 

Organized in March, 1844. The first meetings were 
held in the School House, in District No. 13, where 
Rev. Loren Thayer preached from August 1844, until 
the completion of the Church, which was dedicated 
January 22d, 1845. Introductory Prajer by Rev. A. 
McLoud ; Reading of Scriptures by Rev. G. T. Dole ; 
Sermon by Rev. Loren Thayer ; Dedicatory Prayer by 
Rev. Alexander J. Sessions ; Concluding Prayer by 
Rev. Thomas P. Fields. This church is the most ele- 
gant in North Danvers. It is large and commodious, 
purely white, surmounted by a lofty spire, with a cleai*- 
toned bell. The Society was incorporated in March, 
1845, and in May of the same year. Rev. F. A. Bar- 
ton declined a unanimous invitation to take the pastoral 
charge. Rev. Richard Tolman was installed pastor, 
September 17th, 1845. The order of exercises was as 
follows : Sermon by Rev. E. N. Kirk ; Ordaining 
Prayer by Rev. Dr. John Codman ; Charge by Rev. 
L. Withington ; Right hand of Fellowship by Rev. 
Thomas P. Fields ; Address to the Society by Rev. 
Mr. Pickett. There are about one hundred male mem- 
bers of the Society. Connected therewith, is a Church 
numbering 45 members, and a Sunday School of 50 
children, with a library of 233 volumes. Mr. Tolman 
has published a Sermon against the jMexican War, de- 
livered July 4th, 1847. 



XI. WESLEYAN SOCIETY. 
This Society was formed in the year 1846, and in the 
summer of that vear, it held a series of meetings in the 



HISTORY OP DAN VERS. 259 

Pine \yoods, near Walnut Grove. A neat house, called 
the Wesleyan Chapel, was publicly dedicated, Dec. 30th 
1847, in the following Order : Prayer by Rev. R. 
Tolman ; Sermon and Dedicatory Prayer by Rev. Dan- 
iel Hardy. The Pastor is Rev. Edward A. Stock- 
man. 

XII. auAKEns. 

This peaceful sect numbers about thirty families in 
this town, whose members are distinguished for their 
pious principle, and purity of speech and life. They 
date their existence in this vicinity from an early period, 
and can look into an eventful history. Up and down 
the very streets where now the charity and freedom 
of a better day spread a broad shield above them, their 
ancestors were scourged, and driven out of the colony, 
into dark retreats, or incarcerated in gloomy cells, 
by those who, though they were expatriated by perse- 
cution, had not themselves a religion which breathed 
through them, forbearance and love. The ballad of 
Cassandra Southwick, herself an ancestress of those 
who now bear that name^ by the Quaker Poet, John G. 
Whittier, reveals not only the fiendish spirit which spur- 
red the fanatic on in his persecuting career against the 
peaceful Quaker, but it also shows the heroic fortitude 
with which all such unmerited assaults were received. 
As the scenes narrated occurred in our midst, and as 
the name of the female martyr is still borne by some of 
our citizens, it may be interesting to find it here. She 
was the daughter of Lawrence and Cassandra South- 
wick, who were banished to the East end of Long 



260 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 

Island, 'where they both died about the year 1660, with- 
in three days of each other. The youthful heroine was 
imprisoned, and not being able to pay the jail fees, an 
effort was made to sell her into slavery. The poem ex- 
plains the success with which the stern Endicott and 
Rawson met. 

THE BALLAD OF CASSANDRA SOUTHWICK. 

To the God of all sure mercies let my blessing rise to-day, 
From the scoffer and the cruel he hath plucked the spoil away, — 
Yea, He who cooled the furnace around the faithful three. 
And tamed the Chaldean lions, hath set his handmaid free ! 

Last nii^ht I saw the sunset melt through my prison bars. 
Last niglit across my damp earth-floor fell the pale gleam of stars; 
In the coldness and the darkness all through the long night time. 
My grated casement whitened witli Autumn's early rime. 

Alone, in that dark sorrow, hour after hour crept by; 
Star after star looked palely in and sank arlown the sky; 
No sound amid night's stillness, save that which seemed to be 
The dull and heavy beating of the pulses of the sea; 

All night I sat unsleeping, for I knew that on the morrow 
The ruler and tlie cruel priest would mock me in my sorrow. 
Dragged to their place of market, and bargained for and sold. 
Like a lamb before the shambles, like a heifer from the fold ! 

Oh, the weakness of the flesh was there — the shrinking and the shame; 
And the low voice of the Tempter like whispers to iv.c came : 
'•Why sit'st thou thus forlornly!'' the wicked murmur said, 
"Damp walls thy bower of beauty, cold earth thy maiden bed ?" 

"Where be the smiling faces and voices soft and sweet. 
Seen in thy father's dwelling, heard in the pleasant street? 
Where be the youths, whose glances the summer Sabbath through 
Turned tenderly and timidly unto thy father's pew ? 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 2(31 

•Why sii'st thou here, Cassandra ? — Bethink thee with what niirih 
j Thy happ7 sf'hoohnates gather around the warm bright hearth; 
How the crimson shidows tremble, on foreheads white and fair, 
On eyes of tnerry girlhood, half hid in golden hair. 

Not for thee the hearth-fire briglitens, not for thee kind words are 

spoken. 
Not for thee the nuts of Wonharn woods by laughing boys are broken, 
No first-fruits of the orchard Within thy lap are laid. 
For thee no flowers of Autumn the youthful hunters braiJ. 

"Oh ! weak, deluded maiden ! — by crazy fancies led, 

With wild and raving railers an evil path to tread; 

To leave a wholesome worship, and teaching pure and sound; 

And mate with maniac women, loose-haired and sackcloih-bound. 

"Mad scoffers of the priesthood, who mock at things divine, 
Who rail against the pulpit, and holy bread and wine ; 
Sore from their cirt-tail scourgings, and from the pillory lame, 
Rejoicing in their wretchedness, and glorying in their shame. 

"And what a fate awaits thee? — a sadly toiling slave. 
Dragging the slowly lengthening chain of bond.ige to the grave ! 
Think of ihy woman's nature, subdued in hopeless thrall, 
The easy prey of any, the scott'and scorn of all I" 

Oh ! — ever as the Tempter spoke, and feeble Nature's fears 
Wrung drop by drop the scalding flow of unavailing tears, 
1 wresiled down the evil thoughts, and strove in silent prayer, 
To feel, oh, Helper of the weak ! — that thou indeed werl there ! 

I thought of Paul and Silas, within Philippi's cell. 
And how froni Peter's sleeping litnbs the pri>on shackles fell, 
Till 1 seemed to hear the trailing of an angel's robe of white, 
And to feel a blessed presence iuvisble to sight. 

Bless the Lord for all His mercies ! — for the peace and love I fell, 
Like dew of Hermon's holy hill, upon my spirit melt ; 
When, "Get behind me, Satan !" was the language of my heart, 
And I felt the Evil Tempter with all his doubts depart, 

^ -S 



^— — ^ 

262 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

Slow broke the gray cold morning ; again the sunshine fell, 
Flecked with the shade of bar and grrite within my lonely cell ; 
The hoar frost melted on the wall, and upward from the street 
Came careless laugh and idle word, and tiead of passing feet. 

j At length the heavy bolts fell back, my door was open cast, 
And slowly at the sheriff's side, up the long street I passed ; 
I heard the murmur round me. and felt, but dared nol see, 
How, from every door and window, the people gazed on me. 

And doubt and fear fell on me, shame burned upon my cheek. 
Swam earth and sky around me, my trembling limbs grew weak : 
'•Oh, Lord ! support thy handmaid ; and from her soul cast out 
The fear of m,an, which brings a snare — lhi3 vveaknessand the doubt." 

Then the dreary shadows scattered like a cloud in morning's breeze ^ 
And a low deep voice within me seemed whispering words like these: 
"Though thy earth be as the iron, and thy heaven a brazen wall, 
Tru^t still Kis loving kindness whose power is over all. 

We paused at length, where at my feet the sunlit waters broke 
On glaring reach of :>hining beach, and shingly vv;il! of rock ; 
The merchant-ships lay idly there, in hard clear l!n'^s on h'gh, 
Tracing with rope and slender spar their net-work on the sky. 

And there were aneient citizens, cloak'- wrapped and grave and cold. 
And grim and stout sea-captains with faces bronzed and 0^5, 
And on his horse, with Rawson, his cru.'l clerk at hand, 
Sit dark and haughty Endicolt, the ruler of the land. 

And poisoning with his evil words the ruler's ready ear. 
The priest le-med o'er his saddle, with laugh and scoff and jeer ; 
It stirred my soul, and from my lip^ the seal of silence broke, 
As if through wuman's weakness a warning spirit spoke. 

I cried, 'The Lord rebuke thee, thou smiter of the meek, 
Thou robber of the righteous, thou trampler of the weak ! 
Go light the dark, cold hearth-stones— go turn the prison lock 
Of the poor hearts thou hast hunted, thou wolf amid the flock !" 

Dark lowered the brows of Endicott, and with a deeper red 
O'er Rawson's wine-empurpled cheek the tlush of anger spread ; 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 263 



"Good people," quoth the white-lipped priest, "heed not her words 

so wild, 
Her Master speaks within her — the Devil owns his child I" 

But gray heads shook, and young brows knit, the while the sheriff read 
That law the wicked rulers against the poor have made, 
Who to their house of Rimmon and idol priesthood bring 
No bended knee of worship, nor gainful offering. 

Then to the stout s^a-captains the sheriff turning said : 
Which of ye, worthy seamen will take this Quaker maid? 
In the Isle of fiir Barbadoes, or on Virginia's shore, 
You may hold her at a higher price than Inaian girl or 3Ioor." 

Grim and silent stood the captains ; and when again he cried, 
"Spt'ak out, my worthy seamen !" — no voice or sign replied ; 
Buf I felt a hard hand press my own, and kind words met my ear : 
"God bless thee, and preserve thee, my gentle girl and dear !" 

A weight seemed lifted from my heart, — a pitying friend was nigh, 
I felt it in his hard, rough hand, and saw it in his eye ; 
And when again the shoriif spoke, that voice, ,so kind to me, 
Growled back its stormy answer like the roaring of the sea . 

"Pile my ship with bars ofs'Iver — p:ick with coins of gpnnish gold. 
From keel-piece up to deck-plank, the roomage of her hold, 
By the living God who made me ! — i would sooner in your bay 
Sink ship and crew and cargo, thon bear this child away '" 

" Well answered, worthy captain, shame on their cruel laws !" 
Ran through the crowd in murmurs loud the people's just applause. 
•'Like the herdsman of Tekoa, in Israel of old. 
Shall we see the poor and righteous agam for silver sold?" 

1 looked on haughty Endioott ; with weapon hilf way drawn, 
Swept round the throng his lion glare of bitter hate and scorn ; 
Fiercely he drew his bridle rein, and turned in silence back. 
And sneering prie>t and bafflcjd clerk rode murmuring in his track. 

Hard after them the sh'^riff looked, in bitterness of soul ! 

Thrice smote hs siafFnpon the ground, and crushed his parchment roll. 

r^ ^.- - M 



264 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

*' Good friends," he said, " since both have fled^ the ruler and the 

priesi, 
Judge ye, ilfrom their further work I be not well released." 

Loud was the cheer which full and clear, swept round the silent bay, 
As, with kind words and kinder looks, he bade me go my way ; 
For He who turns the courses of the streamlet of the glen, 
And the river of great \vaters, had turned ihe hearts uf men. 

Oh, at that hour ihe very earth seemed changed beneath my eye, 
A holier wonder round me rose the blue walls of the i^ky, 
A lovelier light on rock and h II, and stream and woodland lay, 
And softer lapsed on sunnier sands the waters of the bay. 

Thanksgiving to the Lord of life !— to Him all praises be, 
Who from the hands of evil men hath set his handmaid free ; 
All praise to Him before whose power the mighty are afraid, 
Who takes the erafty in the suare, which for the poor is laid. 

Sing, oh, my soul, rejoi .ingiy, on evening's twilight calm 
Uplift the loud thanksgivii.g— pour forth the grateful psalm ; 
Let all dear hearts with me rejoice, as did the saints of old, 
When of the Lord's good angel the rci^ciied Peter told. 

And weep and howl, ye evil priests and mighty men of wrong. 
The Lord shall smite the proud and lay His hand vpon the strong. 
Wo to the wicked rulers in His avenging hour ! 
Wo to the wolves who seek the fljcks to rav(;n and devour : 

But let the humble ones arise,— the poor in heart be glad, 
And let llie mourning ones again with r bes of pt:iise be clad, 
For He who coo ed the furnace, and smoothed thp stormy wave. 
And tamed the Chaldean lions, is mighty btill to save I 

Note. — In tliese Ecclesiaotical sketches tliere is ne- 
cessarily imperfection. Tiie North and South Parishes 
have both lost a book of records, and those that remain 
are not full in particulars. Could the room have been 
afforded, an interesting volume might have be ^n com- 
piled, comprising nothing but the History of the Village 
Church. 



HI 



HISTORY OF DANVEES. 265 

NOTES TO CHAPTER VIIL 

(a.) The wooden bridge here referred to, crosses Waters' river 
at the head of tide-water; the other bounds with the exception of 
**Widow Pope's cowpen" will be recognised. 

(b.) There was formerly a box at the door of each church, into 
which strangers were accustomed to drop some contribution whenever 
they attended church in a strange place. 

Rev. Mr. Bacon gives a descripiion of the mode of worship amon^ 
the pilgrims: "Every Sabbath they came together at the beat of drum 
about 9 o'clock or before. The pastor began with solemn prayer, 
continuing about a quarter of an hour. The teacher then read and 
expounded a chapter. Then a psalm was sung, the hncs being given 
out by the ruling elder. After that the pastor delivered his sermon, 
not written out in full, but from notes enlaiged upon in speaking. In 
this church at an early period it was customary for the congregation 
to rise while the preacher read his text After the sermon, the teach- 
er concluded with a prayer and a blessing. The Lord's Supper once 
each month. 

In the afternoon the assembly met at two o'clock. Prayer, psalm, 
prayer, sermon, prayer, hymn, prayer. Then baptism if necessary, 
and exhortation to parents and church. Then contribution — deacon 
rising and saying: "Brethren of the congregation, now there is time 
left for contribution; therefore as God has prospered you, so offer free- 
ly." First magistrates, principal gentlemen, then elders, then the 
congregation generally came up to the deacon's seat, by one way 
and returned by another. Each contributed something. After this^ 
admission, or church discipline was attended to, then psahn, prayer 
and blessing." 

The following extract from a work written by Thomas Maule and 
published in 1692, reveals a practice of our ancestors, which was cer- 
tainly unique, and doubtless effectual. 

"In the church of Salem, the women in times of service, have 
their faces covered with a vail, which practice did not many years con- 
tinue, and when this practice was laid aside, they had for the more 
order in their church to keep people from sleeping, a man that wholy 
tended with a short clubbed st'vAi, having at one end a knop, at the 
other a fox-tail, with which he would stroke the women's faces, that 



266 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

were drowsy lo sleep, and with the other end would knock unruly 
dogs and men that were asleep." 

(c.) The long and serious troubles which raged from this time be- 
t/veen pastor and people need but to be mentioned. They were often 
characterized by rage and spiteful malice, and resulted in the discharge 
of Mr. Parris, and almost in the ruin of his church. Tiiese troubles 
hastened the tragedy of '92 The parish refused to levy rates for two 
years, the church was out of repair, and the parish would not repair 
it, — the church and the parish did not act in harmony, and the church 
itself was divided. In the year 1695 there were 105 persons in favor 
of Mr. Parris and 84 who opposed him. These probably comprised all 
the men and women in the pariah, and it is enough to say that their 
quarrel was conducted as bitterly as theological quarrels usually are. 
John Tarbell, Peter Cloyce and Samuel Nurse stood constantly aloof 
from the wild excitement, and led off a number of more timid spirits 
'n opposition to Parris and his plans. They offered complaints against 
their minister, and did not hesitate to absent themselves from the com- 
munion, and pronounce their disapprobation of the Church. They 
were in turn compbined of, but ihey managed their case witii singu- 
lar adroitness, and succeeded in ousiing their Spiritual Guide. Par- 
ris sought to bring the three muiinous spirits before the church, and 
thus place them in the capacity of culprits, — while they sought to place 
him at the bar. They effected their ends in his dimissal. To their 
charges Mr. Parris replied in "Meditations for Peace," read Nov. 
26th 1694. It is impossible to follow this vvrangle through. The fol- 
ly and wickedness of Parris wore at last revealed to the majority of 
the church, and he was driven away in disgrace from the town. A 
Council was called April 3d 1695, of which Increase Mather was 
moderatK^r, which recommended the Dissenters to accept the ackovvl- 
edgements made by !Mr. P. and let the matter rest thus. May 3d 16- 
95, a paper was signed by sixteen young men, fifty-two householders^ 
and eighteen church members, comprizing the entire opposition to 
Parris, asking another hearing, — a different decision. They wanted 
Parris to leave. This call was replied to by theCouncil, who recom- 
mended that the connection should be dissolved. Mr. P. replied to 
this classical letter as he derisively termed it, and procured the names 
of fifty-two church members, and fifty three householders who desired 
him to remain. Thus there were one hundred and five persons de- 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 267 

termined to retain Mr. Parris, and eighty-six who were equally de- 
termined to be rid of him. ftlay 20lh 1695, the entire village was in 
a storm of excitement. 

In this stage of affairs Mr. Parris received a call fromSuffield, but as 
the church voted almost unanimously for him to remain, he declined the 
invitition. Mr. Parris's friends seem to have been as firmly attached 
to him as his enemies were opposed to him. In 1696, Mr. Parris ex- 
pressed a desire to leave the village, if he was satisfied that he stood 
in th-i way of its interests, and accordingly he accepted of several 
offers from the parish, and withdrew from its charge. He remained 
until Ije received his arrears when he left the town. 

(d.) Cromwell's roek was near the Reading boundary, and Crom- 
well's brook was the name of a small stream which crosses Reading 
road and empties into Ipswich river. 

(e.) "For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by 
them which are of the house ofChloe, thai there are contentions amon<T 
yon." 

From 1681 to 1S32 there were seventeen deacons of the First Church, 
thirteen of whom bore the name of Putnam. 

(f.) It was defined by General Court as beginning "at the great* 
Cove in North field, running directly toTrask's Grist IMill inclusive- 
thence straight to the milestone on the road fiom Salem meetincr 
house to Lynn by Lyndsey's, and then along the Line between Salem 
and Lynn northward till it come to Salem Village line, thence to 
Frostfish river, thence by salt water to trie great cove first men" 
tioned." 

(a.) The following peisons were dismissed in 1713 from the 
First Church in Salem, to fjrm a Church in the Middle Precinct : 
Samuel, Abel and John Gardner, Sam'l Goldtbwaite, Samuel Goldth- 
waite, 2d, Eliezer Gyles, Alex. Shafflin, Mary Tomkins, Eliz. 
Toaikins, Susannah Daniels, Sarah Gardner, Eliz. Gardner, Elis. 
Gyles, Abraham Pierce, John Foster, David Foster, Jno. Felton, 
William King, Richard Waters, Hannah Small, Eliz. Very, Martha 
Adams, Isabel Pierce, Hannah Felton, Deborah Goold, Robert Peas, 
Hannah King, Eliz. King, Judath Mclntire, Elis. Nurse, Sarah Rob- 
inson, Hannah Southwick, Sarah Waters, Elis. Waters, Eliz. Cook, 






268 HISTORY OF DANVEES. 

Hannah Foster, Abigail French, Elis. Goldthwaite, Hannah Gold, 
thvvaite, Jemima Very. 

(h.) a very curious letter, purporting to have been received by a 
resident of Ipswich, from Lawrence Conant, a member of the Ordain- 
ing Council from Boston, pretends to give an account of this ordina- 
tion. This letter was a hoax, cunningly devised by Fitch Poole Esq., 
and created no small stir on its appearance in 1836, among antiquari- 
rians. Some slight anachronisms were detected hy Di. Alex. Young 
of Boston; which proved the author to be a modern. 

(i.) The Old South was at this time widened by sawing it length- 
wise, spreading It, and filling the intervening space. Subsequently it 
was lengthened by sawing it crosswise. 

(J.) The following "Lament of the Bats inhabiting tbe Old 
South," is worthy of preservation, not only on account of the rem- 
iniscences it calls up, but also on account of its literary excellence. 
Some verses are quite equal to those of the author Mr. Poole imi- 
tated. 

Auld time-worn housie I Thee we mourn 
"Where ev'ry son of us was born, 
Thou soon must fill, in fragments torn. 

And gae to ruin ; 
And we must gang and stray forlorn, 
Or seek a new one. 

We meurn thy wa's, we mourn thy tow'r, 
Thy crannies dark, where mony an hour 
Our bairns hae slunk from sunlight glovv'r, 

To gae a sleep in ; 
Far better than in sylvan bower 

Their slumbers keepin'. 

We mourn thy neuks, wi' grief an' pain, 
For while around thy ancient vane, 
In spite alike of win' and rain, 

We blithsome flevp; 
'Tis there our weary banes ha' lain, 

All hid from view. 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 269 

We mourn thy roof vvi' tearfu' eyes, 
Thy gude old beams that lofty rise, 
Thy chandeliers, in ancient guise, 

Thy towerin' steeple; 
We mourn thy bell in heartfelt sighs, 

But not thy people. 

The wee bit bell, when ye were young, 
On Stacy's barn where first 'twas hung, 
In merry peals was often rung. 

Till on the tower 
The younkers thrice took off the tongue 

In midnight hour. 

They got thee then a bigger bell, 
And sure we know they rang it well, 
Disturbing us as vveel's thenisel, 

By sic a racket, 
Till at a fire they rang pell melj, 

And then did crack it. 

We ken the times o' gude Queen Anne^ 
When P;esco/i here, gude pious man, 
Did in thy auld oak pulpit stan', 

The people teachin';' 
And Parson Holt we used to scan 

When he was preachin'. 

Anither light in auld lang syne 
At thy auld altar then did shine, 
Wi' graceful mien and language fine, 

A frierd indeed, 
A gude old-fashioned sleek Divine 

Was Parson Mead. 

We ken the time in Georgie^s reign, 
When Danvers' sons, in battle slain, 
So nobly fell wiihout a stain, 

At Concord fight; 
Alang thy aisles were ghastly lain. 
An awfu' sight ! 
23 



270 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

We ken the times of ghaists and witehes. 
When grannies snw them cross the ditches 
In cock'd up hals and leathern breeches, 

An' a' sic daffin; 
To sec them now preserved in niohys, 

Ye'd dee a laughing. 

Town Meetings then sae grave and trig, 
Wi' Moderator fiit and big, 
Wi' empty skull beneath a wig, 

A wmsome swell, 
Here chose the power to rule the pig, 

And they themsel'. 

And then we saw, in times of yore, 
(We trow it was in '74,) 
They rais'd ye're rpire and lofty tower. 

And weathercock; 
Here TVhitredge fell and rose na more 
From sic a shock. 

Come brither bats, an' drap a tear, 
Your ancient hoi'.sie douce and dear 
Can scarce survive the passing year. 

But proudly fall ! 
Your home, alas ! be murk an' drear, 

An' ruin"d all ! 

(k.) ]Mr. Chaplin was one of those men of true modesty and real 

worth so often unappreciated in this world. Although a man of un- 

!! common learning and talents, he could not obtain a support in Dan- 

I vers, and undoubtedly came near suffering hunger and cold oftener 

1 than any man ought. He remained as pastor for whatever his Society 

ijl would give him, and was too meek and quiet to complain. Some 
i times he was seen carrying a mass of wet frozen tan, for fuel, or pa- 
tiently catching his dinner from Liberty Brulge. At length, when his 
brethren founded the college in Waterville, and wished a president, 
! they surveyed the denoniination, and could find no man qualified as 
i was — Jeremiah Chaplin. 



tcS 



HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 271 \ 



(l.) Although the Unitarian Chutch was incorporated under the 
name of the First Uniiariau Church, yet Mr. Sewall informs me that 
he always held a seat in the Counci's of the Congregationalists of the 
Stale, as a delegate fronUhe Third Congreguional Society m Dan- 
vers, and his claim was never questioned. The names of ihe Socie- 
ties however are given in this work as incorporated. 



CHAPTER IX. 

"Salem Witchcraft" is a phraso familiar to the 
ears of all classes in this country; a marvel to the ig- 
norant, and an inexplicable enigma to the learned. 
The prefix Salem would indicate that tliis extraordinary 
delusion had its origin in that city, which is not true. 
There were many hundreds of cases that occurred 
in Europe, (a.) as well as in our own country, before 
the outbreak at Salem Village. The first public 
trial in the Colonies, Avas in Springfield, Massachusetts, 
forty-seven years before the cases occurred in Danvers, 
or as it was then called Salem Village, — where several 
persons were accused of witchcraft, and accp-utted. A 
few years afterward there were three persons executed 
in Connecticut, an;l from that time onward to the year 
1692, there were many persons tried, some of whom 
Avere executed, in Charlestown, Springfield, Dorchester, 
Cambridge, Boston, New Haven, and Portsmouth. 

In the year 1G92 that strange infatuation took posses- 
sion of the minds of the people of Salem Village. 
iVnd it does not appear very wonderful to the philosophic 
mind, that at this time, and among the peculiar people 
who were the early settlers of this country, this delu- 
.^ . _ . _ ? 



272 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 

sion should prevail. The remembrance of the dark and 
sombre views of God and Man and Nature, which then 
universally obtained, and of the belief that there was 
constantly an open or a secret communication between 
the Human Soul and the Unseen Powers of Evil, un- 
ravels the mystery, and solves the dark problem. As 
a result of these views^ it was universally believed by 
the learned and ignorant, that there were certain per- 
sons called witches, who had "made an actual, deliber- 
ate and formal compact with Satan, by which compact 
it was agreed that she should become his faithful sub- 

i ject, and do what she could in promoting his cause. 
Thus a witch was considered a person who had trans- 
ferred allegiance and worship from God to the Devil. 
She had the power of afflicting, distressing, and rending 
whomsoever she would. She could cause them to pine 
away, and to suffer almost every description of pain and 
distress. Indeed an almost indefinite amount of super- 
natural ability, and a great freedom and variety of 
methods for its exercise were supposed to result from the 
diabolical compact. Those upon whom she thus exer- 
cised her malignant and mysterious energies, were said 
to be bewitched." C, W. Upham. Persons of eith- 
er sex were supposed capable of this infernal conduct. 
In the month of February 1692, Elizabeth Parris, 
the daughter of Samuel Parris, and Abigail Williams 
his niece, the one aged nine, and the other twelve 
years, began to alarm the household by the most aston- 
ishing conduct. ''They would creep into holes and un- 
der benches and chairs, put themselves into odd pos- 
tures, make antic gestures and uncouth visages, and 

«/ft5^^ =" — . ■ ■ ■ :=s 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 273 



utter loud outcries, and ridiculous, incoherent, and un- 
intelligible expressions, and that too in all places, ex- 
cept in the church." The family sought in vain to ex- 
plain the matter, and at length Dr. Griggs, the physi- 
cian who was consulted, declared he could do nothing for 
them, and pronounced them bewitched. On this hint, 
Mary Sibly, made experiments to discover the 
witches, (b.) 

Soon after, Ann Putnam began to be similarly niFect- 
ed with Abigail Williams, and the attention of the whole 
community became riveted to these persons, and they 
vainly sought the cause of their afflictions. At length 
Superstition, unattended by becoming Modesty and Hu- 
mility, crept in, and whispered that Satan and his minis- 
ters, angry with the Puritans for their piety and faith- 
fulness, were rallying in all their strength to work evil 
and misery among the ill-fated exiles. 

No sooner did this idea take possession of the people, 
than a frenzied rage seemed to actuate them. The chil- 
dren Avere commanded to declare wdio their tormentors 
were, and ]Mr. Parris compelled Elizabeth, to an accu- 
sation. Pear drove them to charge the cause upon some 
one, in order to divert attention from themselves. The 
first accusation was against Tituba, an Indian woman, 
who was a servant in the family of iMr. Parris. She 
had formerly been a slave in New Spain, and when ar- 
rested and searched, the marks on her body produced 
by the sting of the Spaniard's whip, w^ere said to be 
made by the Devil. When she was confronted with her j| 
accusers, they cried out that she pinched and bit them, Ij 
and they fell down in spasms. When accused, she con- y 

IS . — - m 



274 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 



fessed that she was a witch, and although this may seem 
surprising, yet when we read the history of those times, 
and learn how those arrested were tortured to oblige 
them to confess, and on the other hand, how those who 
confessed were suffered to live, while those who assert- 
ed their innocence were executed, the marvel will vanish. 

During the month of March following, Martha Cory 
and Rebecca Nurse were also complained of, and when 
they approached the presence of their accusers, they 
cried out upon them for pinching, biting and torturing 
them. The accused denied all, but were sent to pris- 
on, (c.) together with Dorothy a little child of Sa- 
rah Good, aged only six years, who was said to be a 
witch, and by her apparition to bite the girls ! 

The next Sunday after this imprisonment, Mr. Par- 
ris took for his text "Have not I chosen you twelve, 
and one of you is a devil?" Sarah Cloj^ce, feehng that 
Rebecca Nurse, her sister, was alluded to in the ser- 
mon, left the church in indignation, and was immedi- 
ately complained of, and imprisoned. 

The following record stands in the Village church 
book: "May 1692, Dan. Wilkins bewitched to death, 
29, daughter to Ann Douglass by witchcraft I doubt 
not." S. P. 

At this time the terrible Storm arose to its height, and 
the clergy, (d.) who ought to have stilled the tempest, 
were presiding demons, seeming to rejoice in the moral 
war of elements. Rev. Messrs. Mather of Boston, 
(e.) Noyes of Salem, and Parris of Salem Village, 
were constantly busy, instigating prosecution, and spur- 
ring on their fellow citizens to the Avork of death. Peo- 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 



pie dared not sympathise with the accused lest they 
should be ranked with them, and thus, actuated by a 
desire of self-preservation, all men became accusers, 
and joined in the fierce uproar. In all the trials, lead- 
ing questions were put by the clergy and magistrates, 
and a shameful ingenuity sought to entrap and ruin. 

Elizabeth, Abigail and Ann were carried to Andover, 
were they accused Mary Osgood, Mary Tiler, Abigail 
Barkei-^ Hannah Tiler, Sarah Yvilson and Deborah 
Dane. 

When Tituba confessed, she implicated Sarah Osborn 
a demented person, and Sarah Good, Dorothy's moth- 
er, a poor bed-ridden woman, who were immediately 
also accused by the afflicted girls, and subjected to a 
rigorous imprisonment. Tituba afterwards declared 
that Mr. Parris whipped her until he forced a confes- 
sion from her ! AYhen the accused were brought before 
these girls, they cried out with apparent pain at every 
movement. They either bit or trampled upon, or tortur- 
ed them they said, at every motion they made, howe\^r 
distant they were from them. It appears by the rec- 
ords of these examinations, that the ministers were in- 
variably present, opening the meetings with prayer, and 
throwing; the weight of their tremendous influence in 

O CD 

favor of the panic, thus fanning the flame of fanata- 
cism. No man conduced more to this horrible state 
of things than Cotton Mather, concerning whom, if ho 
was deluded, there cannot be too much pity, and if ma- 
licious, scarcely too much reprehension. 

After being imprisoned several months, the trials 
came on in the early part of June. None of those liv- 



276 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 



VIEW OF A PORTION OF THE OLD PARRIS HOUSE. 




,m 



HISTORY OF DAXVERS. 



ing within the present limits of Danvers were tried un- 
til the 30th inst., when Sarah Good and Rebecca Nurse 
with several from other towns were arraigned. They 
were all convicted except Rebecca Nurse, who being a 
pious member of the church and much esteemed, was 
rendered not guilty by the jury. "Immediately upon 
hearing it, the malignant and fiendhke accusers uttered 
a loud outcry in open Court ! The judges were over- 
come by the general clamor, and intimidated from the 
faithful discharge of their sacred duty. They expresed 
their dissatisfaction with the verdict. One of the judges 
declared his disapprobation with great vehemence; 
another said she should be indicted anew, and the Chief 
Justice intimated to the Jury, that they had overlooked 
one important piece of evidence, It was this : during 
the trial, a woman named Hobbs, who had confessed 
herself a witch, was brought into Court, and as she en- 
tered, the prisoner turned towards her and said : "WhatI 
do you bring her ? She is one of us." The Jury were 
thus prevailed upon to go out again : they soon returned 
pronouncing the poor old woman "Guilty." Mrs. 
Hobbs afterwards declared that she only meant to ask 
if Rebecca Nurse, who was respected for her goodness, 
had also becom^e a prisoner. The governor wished to 
grant her a reprieve, but was driven by the popular ex- 
citement to refuse. On the communion before the day 
of execution, she was brought into the church in chains, 
and solemnly delivered over to endless burnings. Thus 
she went to her death. 

Sarah Good was of an unsound mind, and Mr. Noyes 
who was nearly as prominent as Mather and Parris, 



278 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

urged her to confess, saying, "You are a T\itch, you 
know jou are a witch!'' The poor old creature, driv- 
en to rage by the persecutions of her enemies, paused 
on the brink of Eternity, and turning upon him said : 
'*^You are a liar ! I am no more a witch than you are 
a wizzard, and if you take away my life, God will ^give 
you blood to drink !" (f.) 

Elizabeth Proctor was accused, and when she went 
to her trial, John Proctor her husband attended her, 
and for this dutiful conduct, he was supposed to have 
sympathy with her evil doings, and was accused, arrest- 
ed, and incarcerated. His sympathy for his partner, 
and the testimony of Elizabeth Hubbard, were the princi- 
pal testimonies against him. "The Deposition of Eliz- 
abeth II ubburd agged about 17 yeares, who testifieth 
and saith, that I neur saw the Apperishtion of Jno. 
Proctor sen. before the day of his examination, which 
was the 11th Aprill 1692, butsence that, the Aperishtion 
of Jno. Proctor sen. has most grieuiously afflectcd me a 
great many times by pinching pricking, and beating me, 
choaking me almost to death, urging me vehemently to 
write in his book. 

mark 

ELIZ. O HUBBARD. 

It was also alleged that in praj^er Mr. Proctor said 
JwUoived instead of hallowed be thy name ! Mr. and 
Mrs. Proctor were found guilty, and while in prison he 
wrote the following letter : 

Salem Prison, July 23, 1692 
Mr. Mather, Mr. Allen, Mr. Moody, Mr. WiUard and Mr. Daily. 
"Reverend Gentlemen, 

The innocency of our case, with the enmity of our 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 279*' 

accusers, and our judges and jury, •whom nothing but 
our mnocent blood will serve, having condemned us al- 
ready before our trials, being so much incensed and en- 
raged against us by the Devil, makes us bold to implore 
your favorable assistance of this our humble petition to 
his excellency, that if it be possible, our innocent blood 
may be spared, which will undoubtedly otherwise be 
shed ; if the Lord doth not mercifully step in ; the mag- 
istrates, ministers, juries, and all the people in general 
being so much enraged and incensed against us by the 
delusions of the Devil, w^hich we can term no other, by 
reason we know in our own consciences we are all inno- 
cent persons. Here are five persons who have lately 
confessed themselves to be witches, and do accuse some 
of vs of being along mih. them, at a sacrament since 
we were committed into close prison, w^hich we know to 
be lies. Two of the five are (Carrier's Sons,) young 
men who would not confess any thing till they tied 
them neck and heels, till the blood was ready to come 
out of their noses ; and it is credibly believed and re- 
ported, this was the occasion of making them confess 
what they never did, by reason, they said, one had been 
a witch a month, and another five weeks, and that their 
mother made them so, who has been confined here this 
nine weeks. My son William Proctor, when he was 
examined, because he w^ould not confess that he was 
guilty when he was innocent, they tied him neck and 
heels, till the blood gushed out at his nose, and would 
have kept him so twenty-four hours, if one, more mer- 
ciful than the rest, had not taken pity on him, and 
caused him to be unbound. 

y . I 



280 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

These actions are very like the Popish cruelties. 
They have already undone vs in our estates, and that 
will not serve their turns without our innocent blood. 
If it cannot be granted that we have our trials at Bos- 
ton, we humbly beg that you would endeavor to have 
these magistrates changed, and others in their room ; 
begging also and beseeching you, that you would be 
pleased to be here, if not all, some of you, at our trials, 
hoping thereby you may be the means of saving the 
shedding of our innocent blood. Desiring your prayers 
to the Lord in our behalf, we rest your poor afflicted 
servants, 

JOHN PROCTOR and others. 

During his imprisonment his property was attached, 
and his eleven children were robbed of all, even to the 
food which was in process of preparation for dinner, by 
the sheriff. He was denied the time he asked to pre- 
pare for death unless he would plead guilty. 

Martha Cory was also accused and sentenced to 
death. Giles Cory her husband, aged eighty years, 
seeing how others ftired, and knowing that the trials 
were utter mockeries, refused to plead, and was ex. 
communicated, and then pressed to death, the legal 
penalty of remaining silent. It is the only case re- 
corded in the annals of Massachusetts. Mr. Cory had 
been a member of the church but a short time. While 
his aged body was being crushed, and when in the ago- 
ny of expiring nature his tongue obtruded from his 
mouth, a monster crowded down his throat with a ruth- 
less thrust of his cane. Mrs. Cory was also excommu- 



CKS 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 281 



nicated from the church and consigned by her persecu- 
tors to unendmg ruin. 

John Willard was another inhabitant of Salem Vil- 
lage who suffered. He at first joined the cry against 
the witches, but seeing himself in error, he spoke in 
their behalf. This was the signal for his accusation. 
Upon being accused he fled, but was seized, tried and 
convicted. 

Perhaps the most interesting case in this town, was 
that of Rev. George Burroughs. Although not a resi- 
dent of the town at the time of his accusation, yet he 
had been pastor of the church of Salem Village about 
the year 1680. He had disagreed with the parish, and 
although he had some warm friends here, he had many 
bitter enemies. The careful reader of the history of 
those early times, when he sees the bitterness with 
which this man, then living at Falmouth, Maine, was 
sought out and driven to his death, cannot repress the 
conviction that the parish differences and the disputes 
they engendered were the causes of his destruction. A 
few of the particulars of this trial are given, in order to 
show what evidence was necessary to convict a man of the 
crime of witchcraft. The indictment reads as follows : 

"Essex ss. The jurors for our sovereign Lord and 
Lady, the King and Queen, present, that George Bur- 
roughs, late of Falmouth, in the province of Massachu- 
setts Bay, clerk, the ninth day of May, in the fourth 
year of the reign of our sovereign Lord and Lady, 
William and Mary, by the grace of God of Engliond, 
Scotland, France and L-eland, King and Queen, de- 

5 24 



m 



282 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

fenders of tlie Faith, &c., did certain detestable arts, 
called witcberafts and sorceries, wickedly and feloni- 
ously hath used, practised and exercised, at and witbin 
tbe to\Yn of Salem, in the county of Essex aforesaid, 
in, upon and against one Mary Walcott, of Salem Vil- 
lage, in tbe county of Essex, single woman ; by wbicb 
said wicked arts, tbe said Mary Walcott, tbe nintb day 
of ^lay, in tbe fourtb year above said, and divers otber 
days and times, as well before as after, was and is tor- 
tured, afflicted, pined, consumed, wasted and torment- 
ed, against tbe peace of our Sovereign Lord and Lady, 
tbe King and Queen, and against tbe form of tbe stat- 
ute in tbat case made and provided." Margaret Jacobs, 
Eliezar Keysar, Hannab Harris, Samuel AYebber, Si- 
mon Willard, Susannah Sheldon, Ann Putnam, and oth- 
ers, were arrayed against him. 

Eliezar Keysar deposed, tbat he saw Mr. Bur- 
roughs one day, tbat Burroughs fixed bis eye steadily 
upon him, and that being in his own house that even- 
ing, and sitting without a light, "I did see very strange 
things appear in the chimney, I suppose a dozen 
of them, whieb seemed to be something like jelly, tbat 
used to be in tbe water, and quivered with a strange mo- 
tion, and then quickly disappeared. Soon after which, 
I did see a light up in tbe chimney, about the bigness 
of my hand, something above the bar, which quivered 
and shaked, and seemed to have a motion upward ; up- 
on which I called tbe maid ; and she, looking up the 
chimney, saw the same ; and my wife looking up, 
could not see anything. So I did and do conclude it 
il was some diabolical operation." 



HISTORY OF DANVER3. 283' 

Samuel Webber, aged 36 years, testified that Bur- 
roughs put his fingers in the bung of a barrel of molas- 
ses, and Hfted it up, and carried it clear around him. 
Simon Willard affirmed that he saw Mr. Burroughs at 
Casco Bay, put his forefinger into the muzzle of a gun, 
with a barrel seven feet long, and hold it out at arm's 
length ; while he could not with both hands hold the 
gun sufficiently steady to take sight, (g.) As Mr. 
Burroughs was a "pany man," this wonderful feat of 
strength was thought to le conchisive proof of his 
gailt. When we read this we can almost believe the 
account we have seen, that the man who first manufac- 
tured two tubs, by sawing a barrel through the middle, 
was thou;2:ht to have deaiinp:s with the Devil. Cotton 
Mather, with all his wisdom, in his Magnalia, mentions 
the uncommon strength of Mr. Burroughs seriously, as 
convincing proof that he was a wizzard. 

Mr. Burroughs made one fatal admission during his 
trial. One of the judges warily asked him what caus- 
ed those who accused him 'to fall into fits when brought 
into his presence. ''I suppose it is the Devil," was his 
answer. "How comes the Devil then," said the Chief 
Justice, 'Ho be so loath to have any testimony borne 
against you?" This" answer, so unexpected, confused 
him so much^ as to satisfy his accusers of his guilt. 

"Sarah AVilson confesst yt ye night before Mr. Bur- 
roughs was executed, yt yr was a great meeting of ye 
witches nigh Sargt Chandlers ; yt Mr. Burroughs was 
yr, &c." — "The deposition of Sarah Viber, who testi- 
fieth and saith that on the 9th day of May, 1692, as I 
was a going to Salem Village, I saw the Apperishtion of 



^1- 

Sk3 



28-i HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

a littlQ man like a minister witli a black coat on, and 
he pinched me by the arme, and bid me goe alon^ with 
him ; but I told him I would not, — but when I came to 
the village, I saw theire, Mr. George Burroughs which 
I neuer saw before, and then I knew chat it was his 
Apperishtion which I had seen in the morning ; and he 
tortured me severall times while he was in examination, 
also during the time of his examination, I saw Mr. 
George Burroughs, in his Apparance most greuously 
torment and afSect, Marj Walcott, mercy luis, Elisa- 
beth Hubburt, Ann Putnam and Abigail Williams, by 
pinching, t^Yisting, and almost choaking her to death ; 
also severall times sence Mr. George Burroughs or his 
Apperance has most greuiously tormented me with va- 
riety of tortors, and I believe in my heart that Mr. 
George Burroughs is a dreadful wizzard &c." 

Ann Putnam also said, the "Apperishtion" of Mr. 
Burroughs appeared to her, with an appearance of two 
women by his side in winding sheets, who -'turned 
their faces towards Mr. Burroughs, and looked very red 
and angry, and told him that he had been a cruell man 
to them," and that they should goe to heaven, while 
he should be cast down to hell. When "he was gon, 
the two women turned their faces towards me, and look- 
ed as pail as a white wall, and tould me that they were 
Mr. Burroudi's two first wives, and that he had mur- 
thered them : and one tould me that she w^as his first 
wife, and he stabbed her under the left arme, and put 
a peace of sealing wax on the wound and she pulled 
aside the winding sheat, and showed me the place." 
jj This array of evidence was conclusive, and Mr. Bur- 
^ -. ^ 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 285 | 



roughs was sentenced to die. (h.) The night before 
his execution, Margaret Jacobs entered his cell and im- 
plored his pardon for the part she had taken against 
him. He forgave her, and they wept and prayed to- 
gether. She afterwards, in her recantation, declared 
"they told me if I would not confess, / should he jnit 
down into the dungeon, and ivoiddhe hanged; but if 
I would confess, I should have my life, the which did 
so affright me, with my own vile wicked heart, to save 
my life, made me make the like confession I did, which 
confession, may it please the honored Court, is altogeth- 
er false and untrue. The very first night after I had 
made confession, I was in such horror of conscience, 
that I could not sleep for fear the Devil should carry me 
away, for telling such horrid lies. * * What I said, 
was altogether false against my grandfather, and Mr. 
Burrough, which I did to save my life, and to have my 
liberty &c." 

Mr. Burroughs was executed on Gallows Hill, in Sa- 
lem. He was carried to the gallows clothed in rags. 
While on the ladder he addressed- the crowd with so 
much of feeling, that many wept, and seeing the im- 
pression he made upon the observers. Cotton Mather, — 
one who ought to have sought to save, — an ambassador 
of the Savior of Men, rode around on horse-back, and 
spurred the people onward to the work of death, telling 
them that Satan had power to appear as an Angel of 
Light; and an innocent man, vfith prayer on his lips, 
was sacrificed, (i.) 

A final check was placed on the awful delusion by 
the accusation of Mrs. Hale, wife of the minister in 



286 HISTORY OF DANVERS. 

Eeverlj, whose character was so pure, that her impeach- 
ment was the signal for those enquiries which resulted 
in a discovery of the fatal errors into which the commu- 
nity had fallen. 

The General Court afterwards endeavored to atone 
for its errors by appropriating about £60, to heal 
the broken hearts Burroughs left behind, and the Jury 
who presented most of the persons executed both here 
and elsewhere, made the following declaration: "AVe 
do therefore signify, to all and in general, our deep 
sense of, and sorrow for, our errors in acting on such 
evidence ; we pray that we may be considered candidly 
and aright by the liveing sufferers, as being then un- 
der the power of a strong and general delusion, utterly 
unacquainted with, and not experienced in matters of 
that nature." Signed, Thomas Fisk, WilUam Fisk, 
John Bachelor, Thos. Fisk Jun., John Dane, Joseph 
Evelilh, Thomas Pearly Sen., John Peabody, Thomas 
Perkins, Samuel Sayer, Andrew Eliot, II. Herrick, 
Sen. 

Mr. Parris made a public confession, and on Febru- 
ary 14th, 1703, the sentence of excommunication 
against Giles and Martha Cory vfas formally revoked, 
and the Church books of 1705 have a tribute of repent- 
ance from Ann Putnam, who seems to have been sincere. 
It was said and believed that Satan gathered his com- 
pany in a large field (j.) in Salem Village, where 
they held their midnight riots. As often as he ob- 
tained new followers, he gave them the seal of his cov- 
enant by baptizing them in Newbury Falls. He is de- 
scribed as appearing well dressed in a suit of black, 



5^5 



HISTORY OP DANVERS. 287 

and as looking like an ordinary minister. Probably 
his hoof was disguised by a boot, his horns by a hat, 
and his tail snugly concealed in a proper place. 

The principal accusers in Salem Village, were John 
Buxton, Elizabeth Parris,Mrs. Pope, Mrs. Putnam, good 
wife Bibber, goodwife Goodall, Abigail "Williams, Ann 
Putnam, Margaret Jacobs, Mary Walcott, Mercy Lewis, 
"Dr. Griggs's maid," Tituba, Edward Putnam, Mrs. 
Raymond, Samuel ParriSjJona. Walcott andNath'l In- 
ge rsoll. Those who were executed were Sarah Good, who 
left a child six years old ; Giles and Martha Cory, who be- 
queathed property to William Cheeves of Beverly, and 
who left two children : Elizabeth and Martha ; Kebec- 
ca Nurse, who left a husband and eight children : John, 
Rebecca, Sarah, Samuel, Francis, Mary, Elizabeth and 
Benjamin ; John Proctor, (l.) who left a wife and 
twelve children : John, Benjamin, Ehzabeth, Martha 
Mary, William, Joseph, Samuel, Thomas, Sarah and Ab- 
igail. Thorndike was born in a few weeks after his fath- 
er's death. George Jacobs, (m.) who left a wife and 
three children: George, Ann and Margaret; John 
Willard, who left a wife ; and Rev. George Burroughs, 
who left a family. One poor dog was hanged, because 
it was thought he entertained the devil in his body. 
Elizabeth Proctor was sentenced to death, but she 
proving to be enciente, was allowed to live, and before 
her child was born, the delusion vanished. She was 
accused of killing ten, and laming many others. 

The following persons were arrested and tried for 
witchcraft : Tituba, an Indian woman, Sarah Osborn, 
Dorothy Good, Sarah Cloyce, Mary Warren, who after- 



288 HISTORY OF DAN VERS. 

wards became a complainant, Edward and Sarah Bish- 
op, Benjamin and "William, sons of John Proctor, Mar- 
garet Jacobs, who was also a complainant, Sarah Proc- 
tor, Mary Witheridge, Kebecca Jacobs, Margaret's 
mother, Mary, a negro servant of Nathaniel Putnam, 
Daniel Andrew, a bricklayer, George Jacobs Jr., and 
Sarah Buckley, Mary Witheredge's mother. John, 
Tituba's husband and Mary Sibly made a superstitious 
experiment to discover the witches, and many of the 
citizens joined with the accusers against their supposed 
enemies. The examinations were mostly conducted at 
the house of Nathaniel Putnam, (x.) The Judges 
were Hathorne, Corwin and Sewall. (o.) 

It is highly probable that these girls commenced their 
ruinous course for amusement, but that, frightened by 
the wild flame which increased so terribly, they dared 
not tell the truth. Afterwards, if any person was at 
enmity with another, an accusation of Witchcraft was 
sure revenge. Added to this, the excitement produced 
a sort of mania, which presented to a superstitious peo- 
ple, a bewitched person in every lunatic or epileptic, and 
a witch or wizzard in every bed-ridden unfortunate, or 
person endowed with uncommon strength or ability, (p.) 

But the delusion lasted only a few months. The 
people's eyes were opened, and the storm which rose in 
the A^illage, and drove Mr. Parris from his charge, 
and the blast of indignation and horror which scathed 
Cotton ]Mather, and others who fanned the flame with 
him, and which to this day envelopes these actors, tes- 
tifies to those of a later generation, that if the people 
of this neidiborhood were fo^' a short time under a de- 



r -^ 

HISTORY OF DANVERS. 289 

lusion, produced in part bj their religious vie-ws, (q.) 
and in part by those from whom they expected bet- 
ter things, that their native good sense soon resumed its 
ascendancy, and wept over former errors, while it trans- 
mitted a lesson of wisdom to the remotest posterity. 

In arranging this sketch of Witchcraft, S, P. Fowler 
afforded much aid, by loaning valuable manuscript vol- 
umes. &c. 



NOTES TO CHAPTER IX. 

(a.) In •''Celebrated Trials^'' the reader may find many interest- 
ing cases recorded. 

(b.) She made a cake of the urine of the afflicted person, and gave 
to those whom she suspected. She was afterwards pubhcly reprimand- 
ed by the Church, and expressed her repentance. The following 
church record is in Mr. Parris's hand writing. 

"It is altogclher undenyable that our Great and Blessed God, for 
wise and holy ends, hath suffered many persons in several families of 
this little Vill:ige lo be grievously vexed and tortured in body, and to 
be deeply tempted to the endangering of the destruction of their souls 
and all these amazing feats, (well known to many of us,) to be done 
by Witchcraft and diabolical operations. 

"It IS well known that vv hen these calamities first began, which wag 
in my own family, the affliction was several weeks before such hellish 
operations as Witchcraft was suspected; Nay it never broke forth to 
any considerable lights untill Diabolical means was used, by the mak- 
ing of a cake by my Indian man, who had his directions from this our 
sister Mary Sibly. Since which Apparitions have been plenty, and 
exceeding much mischief hath followed. But by this means (it seems) 
the Devil hath been raised amongst lis, and his Rage is vehement and 
terrible, and when he shall be silenced, the Lord only knows.'* 

The church received Mary Sibley's profe.ssion of repentance and 
retained her in the Communion. 



m 



280 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 



:0 14 





1 





10 





2 





7 





1 10 





17 10 



(c.) The following curious bill, kindly loaned me by Mr. Felt, the 
Salem Annalist, shows what treatment the supposed witches received. 

John Arnold keeper of Boston Prison 
1691-2 May 9 To chains for Sarah Good and Sarah Osborn £0 14 

"14 " keeping Lewis Hutchins 8 wks at 2-6 
1692 April 5 "2 blankets for Sarah Good's child 
May 23 ** shackles for 10 prisoners 

'* 29 " 1 pr of irons for Mary Cox 
Sarah Good vf Salem Village 

from 7th March to June 1, 12 wks 2-6 
Rebecca Nurse of same place 

from 12th of Apl 7 wks at 2-6 
Geo. Jacob 6 weeks & 4 days from 

May 12lh 
John Proctor & wife Elizth from 
April 12th to 1st of June at 5- 
Susanna Martin of Amsbury 

from May 2d to Ist of June 4 wks 2 dayg 
Bridget Bishop alias Oliver of Salem 
fr 12th IMay 20 days at 2-6 a week 
Alice Parker of Salem from 12th of May 

to Islof June20 days 2-6 
Geo Burroughs 7 weeks from 9th May 
Samuel Passanauton an Indian 8 wks 4 dys 

from Apl 28th 2-6 
Roger Toolhaker * of Salem Village 

& John Willard of same each fr May 18th 
5 wks & 5 dys 
Sarah Osborn fr March 7 to May 10, when 
she died — being 9 wks & 2 dys 
*0f Eillerica. 



16 4 



1 15 



10 



7 



7 
17 



115 



1 8 



13 



(d.) Thomas Wilkins, John Tarbell and Samuel Nurse were the 
only members of the church who opposed the progress of the great 
storm. They did not fill into the popular panic, and did not cease from 
exerting themselves until they had ousted its cause from the parish. 
They were excommunicated however, and were out of the church 
until Feb 5, 1699, when they and their wives were re-admitted to the 
communion. Capt. Joseph Putnam, Israel's father, kept a horse in 



HISTORY OP BANVERS. 291 f 

constant readiness several weeks, with the expectation that he would 
be accused on account of his opposition to the Great Delusion. 

To exhibit the feelings of the clergy it is recorded that Cotton Math- 
er called Martha Carrier a "rampant h?g, the Queen of Hell !" Noyes 
of Salem said when he saw several hanging on Gallows Hill, — "How 
sad il is to see eight firebrands of hell hanging there." Mr. Parris 
seems to have been not quite so malignant as these and some others; 
he seems to h^ve been desirous of using this excitement to promote 
a religious awakening in his parish. 

(e.) Duringlhe prevalence of the excitement, a daughter of a man 
named Shafflin aged about eighteen, who lived on the spot at present oc- 
cupied by Mr. Amos King, "cried out" upon a very respectable neigh- 
bor. Her father thinking the evil spirit which possessed her was one 
that might be esorcised in a peculiar manner took her into a room 
where her cries would not disturb others, and trounced her soundly, 
j until she confessed that a desire oi^ a ppearuig as conspicuous, as Ann 
Putnam and Abigail Williams, actuated her in her course. Had Mr. 
Parris and others, whipped their children for accusing instead of 
whipping ihem to oblige them to accuse, this great blot upon Human 
Nature might have been prevented. 

(f.) "At the trial of Sarah Good, one of the afflicted girls fell into 
a fit, and after coming out of it, she cried out against the prisoner for 
stabbing her in the breast while in court, and actually produced a 
piece of the blade of the knife which she said was used and broken 
in doing it. Upon this, a young man was called to prove the imposi- 
tion. He produced a haft and part of the blade, which the court, 
having viewed and compared, found to be the same; and the young 
man affirmed, that yesterday ho happened to break that knife and 
that he cast away the upper part in the presence of the person who 
now produced it. The girl was cautioned by the court not to tell any 
more lies, but was still employed to give evidence against the prison- 
ers whose lives were in her hands." 

(g.) This gun is said to be deposited in the Museum in Fryeburg 
Academy, Maine. 

(h.) There were five persons who declared that Burroughs afilicted 
them; eight confessed witches, who said he was a leader of them at 
their infernal sacraments; and others, who testified to his remarkable 






292 



HISTORY OF DANYERS. 



strength. When we remember the excited slate of the pubhc mind, 
conviction is no matter of surprise. 

(i.) He seems to have siid but little in his own behalf. When 
accused of great s'rength, he snid there was an Indian present who 
could do as much: 'Ah!" said one, ^'ihe Devil is black like an Indi- 
an .'" 

(j.) If the veracious pen of history might be allowed to glide for 
a moment into the apocryphal regions of fancy, it would suggest the 
broad level field owned by Judge Putnam, as the veritable spot. 
But alas ! we can only conjecture where these toothless Cuttysarks 
pursued poor benighted Tarn 0\S}ianters, and made night hideous 
with their ghastly orgies. Tradition, u:>ually so explicit and fecund, 
here confesses her ignorance. 

(k.) Poor Tituba was imprisoned, and when she wa3 found inno- 
cent, her sapient accusers did not hang her, — they only mildly sold 
her into hopeless Slavery to pay her jail fees! By this and similar cases 
we are reminded of ihe old method of discovering wilches : By 
throwing them into deep water, and, if they floated, executing them 
as guilty ; while if they were innocent they sunk, and were onli/ 
drowned! 

(l.) John W. Proctor Esq. , a descendant of John, hns humorously 
observed, that he can trace his ancestry to as elevated a position as 
most of his fellow citizens I 

(m .) Geo. Jacobs lived on the Jacobs farm near the Iron Factory. 
He was hung on a branch of one of his own oaks, which stood until 
within a few years, when it was sold to Samuel Fowler Esq , and con- 
verted into a Mill Shaft. Jacobs was buried on his own land, and the 
gravestone is yet visible near the Iron Factory. 

(X.) A ne^ro aged 100 years, who recently died near the Plains, 
attributed the troubles of 1C92, to the loss of the Church book. He 
eaid it was stolen by ApoUyon. 

(o.) In the year 1711 the King issued an edict in which all "Con- 
victions, Judgments and Attainders" were '-'reversed" and declared 
"Null and Void to all Intents as if such had never been given." An 
edict that afforded rather more consolation to the living than reparation 
to the unfortunate dead. Soon after Rev. Josi-ph Green was or- 



HISTORY OF DAISTVERS, 



293 



dained over tlie First Church, ha made efTorts to revoke the sentence 
of excommunication against Martha Cory, and others who opposed 
the delusion, and who were accused. May 4th 1707, the following 
Church action was. had. "Whereas this church passed a vote Sept. 
11, 1692 for the excommunication of Martha Cory and that sentence 
was passed, was pronounced against her Sept. 14, by JMr. Sam, Par- 
ris. formerly p:istor of tiiis church, she being before her cxcommuiv 
cation condemned and afterward executed for supposed witchcraft, 
and there being a record of this in our church book page 12. We 
being moved hereunto, do freely consent and heartily desire that ihe 
same sentence may be revoked, and that it may stand no longer 
against her, for wc are tlu'ough God's mercy to us convinced, that we 
were at that dark day under ihe power of those errors which then 
prevailed in the land, and we are sensible that we had not sufficient 
grounds to think her guiltij of that crime for which She was condemn- 
ed and executed (^-c. There was a maj'r part voted, — & 6 or 7 dis- 
sented. J. Gr. pr." 

This act was of course all the Church could perform to atone for the 
evil it had done. Such sunlight could not however warm the bones of 
the slain. Ana Putnam made a public confession wluch is recorded on 
the Church books in which she says : «•! desire to be humbled before 
God for that sad and humbling providence ihat befel my father's fan* 
ily in the year about 92-3, 1 then being in my childhood, should by 
such a providence of God be mad an instrument for the accusing of 
several persons of a grevious crime, whereby their lives were taken 
away from them, wben I have just ground and good reason to believe 
they were innocent persons, and that it was a great delusion of Sa- 
tan (^0. 

"Though what was said or done by me I can truly and uprightly 
say before God & Man I did it not out of any anger, malice or ill will 
to any persons for I had no such thing against one of them; but what I 
did was ignorant, being deluded by Satan &c. 

ANNE PUTNAM." 

She asked forgiveness of all whom she had offended. , 

Increase blather, President of Harvard College, March 19th, 

came out to the Village, and slopped at Nathaniel Ingersoil's, and 

thiswise and reverend scholar giavely relates the wonders he saw, 

one of the principal of which was, that a crazy girl, named Abigail 

25 



294 



HISTORY OF DANVERS. 



William , called out in church : "Look where Goodwifc Clojce sitg 
on the beam suckling her yellow bird betwixt her fingers !" Another 
expression which showed that she was terribly afflicted was the follow- 
ing ; "7/5 is a long text /" 

"Mch 31st, when there was a fast at the village, Abigail William 
said that the witches had a sacrament in the village, and tliat they 
had red bread and red drink. 

Mercy Lewis saw in her fit, a white man, and was with him in a 
glorious place, which had no candles nor sun, yet was full of light 
and brightness; where was a great multitude in white glittering 
robes, and they sung the song in the fiflhofRev., the ninth verse, 
and the one hundred tenth Psalm, and the one hundred forty-ninth 
Psalm; and she said to herself, "How long shall I stay h(;re ?" &c. 

(p.) That the reader may see the manner in which these cases 
were conducted, let him consult "Wonders of the Invisible World," 
by Calef, — Thachers Essay, Mather's Magnalia and other works. 

(q ) A literal rendering of the Old Testament Scriptures, a pas- 
sage of which says: Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live," — was one 
active cause of trouble then, as it is of much error and delusion at 
present. 



ERRATA. 

Page 27. for (c) read (b.) 

Page 33, 7lh line from the top, for Eojvkrj read. Ipswich. 

Page 43, 7th line from the bottom, for ivliere read were. 

Page 45, 3d line from the top, for Way read may. 

Page 56, 14th line from the top, insert in, after Salem, 

Pago 105, 15th Ymo. from the top, foi ivifc, read mother. 

On page 106, in speaking of the ardor of Gen. Foster, it was not 
intended to impeach the military character of Col. Pickering. While 
the former was all ardor, the latter combined a commendable pru- 
dence wiih undoubted valor. 

Page 109, for Gandy, read Gonchj. 

Page 123. 3d bne from the top, for so, read as. 

Page 123, 5th line from the bottom, for Jeremiah read Israel. 

Page 135. in Fire Department, \oY past 7/ear, read year 1846. 

Page 162, for standa, read stand. 

On page 25S, 7tli line from the bottom, read 62 mevilers, and a 
Sunday School of 140, &c." 

Note (H.) page 26S, refers to page 240. 

Page 280. 2d line from the bottom, read "it" between crowded 
and down. 



m^ 



APPENDIX. 295 



APPENDIX. 

Waters, North, Crane and Porter's rivers empty into 
Bass or Beverly river, instead of the harbor, as stated in 
Chap. I. 

Archelaus Putnam, (see page 60,) lived nearer Bachel- 
dor's corner, than the Collins house. He moved his house 
on the ice, instead of floating it, as stated above. 

The name of Dr. George Osborne was unaccountably 
omitted from the list of physicians. He removed to Dan vers 
in the year 1830. 

The several ponds in Danvers, from the beauty of their 
situation and appearance, merit a particular description. 
And the writer cannot dismiss his agreeable labors with- 
out speaking of Bartholomew's pond. It is said on page 13, 
that this is one of the most "charming, secluded spots in 
the State." The water of this miniature lake is of a 
delicate sea-green color, and is of remarkable softness and 
transparency. On several sides huge sienite bluffs rise a 
hundred feet in height, and frown above, while the beautiful 
lake answers the caresses of the Sun and Breeze by con- 
stant smiles. The calm, quiet serenity of the water, con- 
trasts charmingly with the sterner grandeur of clifTs, and 
sombre forest trees, and had we some native Scott or 
Wordsworth, this romantic place would shine in immortal 
verse, where many a less lovely place now stands. The 
water of Bartholomew's Pond percolates through a bed of 
peculiar gravel, to the distance of half a mile, where it 
enters Brown's Pond, which in its turn supplies the foun- 
tains of the Salem and Danvers Acqueduct. The large 
bleacheries now in process of erection, have been placed 
in the positions they occup}^ on account of the purity of 
the water. Bartholomew's Pond has no visible outlet. 

Ship Rock has recently been purchased by the Essex 
Natural History Society, and fitted with ladders, &;c. for 
the pleasure of visitors. It is a remarkable locaHty, and 



296 



^ 



APPENDIX. 



is said to be the largest boulder standing above the earth 
in New England. It is forty feet in length, thirty feet in 
breadth, and about twenty feet thick, and presents an ap- 
pearance closely resembling the hull of a ship. From 
its top, the best view of Dan vers may be had, that can 
be procured at any one place. In one charming land- 
scape, the wide extent of the town spreads before the eye, 
together with Salem and Beverly, and to be appreciated 
and admired, needs but to be seen. Indeed, the entire 
southern portion of the town, and especially the immedi- 
ate neighborhood of the pond and rock referred to, is 
wilder and more like primitive Nature, than we often find 
in our State. A very uneven surface, and a great profu- 
sion of very large boulders give additional vigor to the 
scenery. A native poet might here find appropriate 
places for thought, and might people these solitudes with 
beings, who would have as romantic a home as in more 
celebrated, but not more beautiful retreats. Meanwhile, 
let those inclined to observe Nature in her various moods, 
resort to this region, and rejoice in its poetic combinations, 

There are many choice landscapes and sea-views in 
different parts of Danvers. From, the house of Joseph 
Adams, Esq., a very superior view may be enjoyed ; 
twenty-two steeples are in the field of vision. 

It is said on page 31, that the spot u'hich Col. Thomas 
Reed owned, is unknown. It has since been ascertained, 
that his land was bounded on the west by the Proctor 
lands, and included the West estate, Buxton's hill, and 
that vicinity. 

Mrs. Fowler, first spoken of on p. 61, was Sarah, a 
daughter of Dea. Archelaus Putnam, and was born Sep- 
tember 14th, 1755, and died Nov. IQih, 1847, aged 92 
years and 2 months. She had 5 children, 27 grand chil- 
dren, and 60 great grand children. 

Jotham Webb, one of the young men from this town, 
who was slain in the battle of Lexington, was a brick- 
maker, and was preparing his yard for the making of 
bricks, on the morning of the 19Lh of April. This yard 
was situated at the New Mills, near what is now known 
as the old Joshua Kent house, where the currier's shop 
of S. F. Reed now stands. He was married but a few 



— m 

APPENDIX. 297 



days previous to the battle, and lived in the house now 
owned by Mr. A. A. Edgerton. Upon receiving the news 
of the march of the British to Concord, he left his work, 
returned to his house, and p^'aton his wedding suit, remark- 
ing to his young wife, who expostulated with him: "If I die, 
I will die in my best clothes." He joined the company 
of minute men under Col. Hutchinson, and was with him 
in the engagement, and he received a shot through his 
body, at the first fire of the enemy. He, with the other 
dead from this town, was brought home in a horse cart; 
and it is said that the grief of the young widow upon 
seeing the bloody corpse of her husband, was excessive 
and heart-rending. 

Milan Murphy, a colored man, was also in the Revolu- 
tion, as a servant of one of the Putnams. 

George Peabody, son of Thomxas, was born in Danvers, 
about the year 1797, in the house formerly occupied by a 
quaker named Purington, situated on the old Boston 
Road. He passed a few years of his youth with Capt. 
Sylvester Proctor, and after leaving him, he engaged in 
mercantile pursuits in Georgetown, Mass. and Baltimore, 
Md., and at length, in 1836, he removed to London, where 
he is now a celebrated Factor and Merchant. He is lib- 
eral and upright, a man of large influence in the mercan- 
tile world, and generally esteemed. 

Since the Valuation of 1S45, as recorded in the "Sta- 
tistics," many branches of business have increased. 
Among other things, it may be said, that there are now 6 
morocco factories, which annually dress 250,000 skins, 
valued at S100,000. 100 hands are employed, on a cap- 
ital of S7o,000. Daring the year 1847, there were 152 
arrivals at the Port of Danvers, 40 of which were of lum- 
ber. 



^ 



298 



IXDEX. 






INDEX. 



SUBJECT. 


PAGE. 


Acqueduct, - . - - 


- 154 


Act of Incorporation District of Danvers, 


51 


Agriculture, - - - «• 


132 


Alarms, - - - - 22, 


46, 123 


Alarm List, - . . - 


82, 122 


Anecdote of Anna Endicott, 


92 


Anecdote of Franklin, 


68 


Anecdote of Goudy, 


69 


Anecdote of Mr. Holt, 


97 


Animals, - . - . - 


13, 38 


Appearance of Danvers in 1757, 


. 66, 68 


Appendix, - - - - 


- 295 


Approbation of Adams's ad'm, 


112 


Appropriations for War, - - 95, 96, 97 


, 99, 100 


Area of Danvers, - - - 


- 10 


Armorial bearings, - - - 


- 60, 67 


Arnold's- Quebec Expediiion, 


- 94 


Articles of Confederation, - - - 


96 


Aspect of the Town, . . - 


9 


Attempts to divide do. 


113, 118 


Bankrupt Law, - - - - 


- 118 


Banks, . - . . - 


- 133 


Bell Tavern, .... 


- 166 


Biography of Bowditch Nath'l, 


- 218 


" of Burroughs Geo., 


- 174 


of Clarke Peter, 


178 


" of Endicott John, 


- 171 


" of Eppes Daniel, - 


173 


of Flint Samuel, 


- 188 


" of Foster Benj., 


205 


" of Foster Gideon, 


- 199 


of Gloyd Sarah, - . - 


195 


" of Green Joseph, 


- 177 



S' 






I 




INDEX. 




299 


Biography of Holten Samuel, 


. 


188 


(( 


of Hutchinson Israel, 


^ • • 


185 


<( 


of Nelson Thomas, 


. 


. 176 


(( 


of Osborne Sylvester 


f 


217 


u 


of Page Jeremiah 




- 185 


u 


of Page Samuel, 


. 


212 


<( 


of Parris Samuel, 




- 175 


u 


of Peabody George, 


• • 


297 


u 


of Pope Amos, 


• - 


218 


<( 


of Porter Moses, 


• 


. 216 


.( 


of Prescott Benj., 


- 


177 


(( 


of Prince Asa, 


• • 


185 


1( 


of Putnam Elias, 




- 222 


(( 


of Putnam Enoch, 


• • 


187 


(( 


of Putnam Israel, 




. 179 


(( 


of Putnan Jeremiah, 


- - 


187 


iC 


of Read Nathan, 




- 220 


(( 


of Wadsvvorth Benj., 


. 


205 


a 


of Wallis Dennison, 




- 214 


(( 


of Webb Jotham, 


_ ■ 


296 


u 


of Wharton Eliza, 




- 206 


Births, 


_ - a 


" « 


156 


Blockhouses, 




- 48 


Boundai 


ies &c., 


- 9, 54, 


55, 267 


Bridges, 


. 


- 61 


, 66, 68 


Bunker 


Hill Battle, - 


• » 


92 


Caleb L 


owe & Washington, 




. 98 


Carriages, 




100 


Cassanc 


ra Southwick, ballad, 




- 260 


C. C. Pleas, - 


- 


111 


Cessation of New Mills Dist., 




- 66 


Character of the People, 


. 


17 


Coins 


r ?tlass.. 




- 34 


College 


Graduates, 


. 


148 


Collins 


House, 


- 79, 


103, 104 


Comets &c., - . • - 


34, 35, 43, 


46, 118 


Commerce, 




- 134 


Committee of Vigilance, 


- 


78 


Commonage, 




. 39 


Conduct of Royal Troops, 


" • 


79, 102 


Controversy, 

m 




- 22 



300 


INDEX. 




1 


Counsellors at T^aw, 




150 


Culture of Youth, 


- 


. 35 


Danvers, commencement of 




56 


Danvers Family, - 


. 


57, 67 


Dark Day, - - - 




98 


Daughters of Rechab, 


" 


- 136 


Deaths, - - - 




156 


Devil's Dishful, - - - 


. 


- 131 


District, New Mills, 




66 


District of Danver's, 


-^ 


- 50 


Earthquakes, - ^ - 33, 34, 


35, 36, 


38, 43, 67 


Ecclesiastical, 1st Parish, - 


222 


, 265, ^266 


( 


2d do. 


- 238 


, 237, 268 


( 


1st Baptist, 


- 


- 246 


( 


1st Universalist, 




249 


< 


Unitarian, 


. 


- 251 


4 


' Methodist, 




253 


( 


2d Universalist, 


. 


- 254 


( 


' Comeouters, 


. 


- 256 


( 


2d Baptist, 




257 


i 


3d Congregational, 




258 


I 


Wesley an, 


« 


- 258 


( 


Quakers, 




259 


Effort for a town, 


35 


, 43,50, 65 


Effort to divide Essex Co., 




42 


Endicott Pear Tree, 


. 


- 25 


English Prize Vessels, 




123 


Errata, - - - - 


. 


17, 50 


Escape of the Constitution. 




122 


Faneiul Hall Convention, 


- 


- 73 


Fast Day, 




- 34, 42 


Female Benevolent Society, 


. 


- 135 


Fire Department, 




135 


Fires, - - - . 


- 


- 119 


First child born at New Mills, 




61 


First officers of Danvers, * - 


a 


- 53 


First Rate payers in Village Parish, 




49 


First school teacher at New Mills, 


• 


- 170 


Fish, 


• 


19 


Flying Horse, - - - 


- 


. 39 


^^ 




m 



11' 



INDEX. 



301 



Fort, .... 


123 


Free Masons, - - - 


- 135 


Gage's Removal, 


79 


Gage's Soldiers, - 


79, 80, 102, 103 


General Description, 


14 


Grantees, - - - - 


27, 48 


Grant from Legislature, 


47 


Grant of Naumkeik, 


- 18 


Graveyards, - - - 


156 


Highways, - . - 


61, 62 


Highway Troubles, 


61 


Hills, 


14 


Horse Pasture, 


- 32 


Houses, - - - 


54 


Hutchinson's Protest, 


56 


Incorporation of Danvers, 


- 5Q 


Incorporation of New Mill Dist., - 


63 


Indian Expedition, * 


33 


Indians, (Naumkeik.) 


- 19 


Insects, 


34, 43, 101 


Instructions to Dr. Holten, 


- SO 


Instructions to Rep. in 17S3, 


100 


Instructions relative to Stamp Act, 


- 69 


Insurance Company, - 


134 


Iron Factory, 


65 


King George's Whipping Post, 


100 


Lament of the Bats, 


- 268 


Latitude and Longitude, • 


9 


Lexington Battle, 


86, 105, 106, 107 


Long Hair, 


34 


Lynn vs. Danvers, 


113 


Manufactures, - 


128 


Marriages, - - 


156 


Mechanic Institute, 


135 


Men slain by Indians, 


36 


Men slain and wounded at Lexington, 


90 


Military, 


35, 36, 97, 154 


Mill River, 


25 


Mills, 


65 



^ 



m 




'^< 


302 IXDEX. 




Moderators of Annual Meetings, 


125 


Monument, 


• e 


. 162 


Mortality, 


. 


42 


Naliumkiek — extent of 


, 


19 


Name Danvers, origin, &c. 


, 


57, 67 


Names Indian and Ancient, 


17, 


19, 25, 47, 48 


Natural Divisions, 




. 10, 13, 17 


Newspapers, 


, 


156 


Non Importation Agreement, 


Town Actior 


), 74 


North Bridge Affair, 


. 


82, 104 


Odd 'Fellows, 


. 


136 


Orchard Farm, . 


, 


24,47 


Ore, 


, 


9,34 


Origin of Salem, 


. 


18 


Physicians, 


. 


151 


Plants, &c.. 




13 


Ponds, 


, 


16 


Poor House, 


• 


. 134 


Population, 


. 


19, 54, 159 


Post Offices, 


, , • 


. 131 


Preface, 


. 


3 


Preparation for War, 


, . 


. 81 


Prices in 1779, 


, 


97 


Quakers, 


, , 


. 22 


Quaker's Apology, 


. 


105 


Quakers obliged to support E 


ev.. 


. 99 


Railroad, 


, 


118 


Rebuke of Late War, 


J • 


. 113 


Rebuke of Mexican War, 




120 


Rechabites, 


, 


. 135 


Remarlcable Cows, 


. 


133 


Remarkable Weather, 34, 


35, 36, 38, 3 


9, 43, 46, 67, 




100, 


101, 113 120 


Representatives, 


, , 


123 


Repudiation of England, 


. 


81 


Resolutions on Liberty, 


, 


. 75 


Richard Skidmore, 


, 


104 


Road Petition, 


, , 


. 37 


Rum Bridge, 


, 


50 


Ryall Side, 

^«- - . 


• 





INDEX. 



303 



Salem Village Dispute, 


, 


. 


24 


Salem Village Grant, 


, 




23 


Scarcity, 


21, 22, ; 


33, 34 


, 3-5, 112 


Schools, 


. 




144, 170 


Settlement of Danvers, 


, . 




. 23 


Settlement of Naumkiek, 


, 




18 


Settlement of New Mills, 


, 




60, 68 


Shay's Rebellion, 


, 




111 


Ship built by Dr. Calef, 


. 




94, 110 


Ships of Revolution, 






111 


Size of Danvers, 


. 




. 10 


Skelton's Neck, 


, 




27,48 


Slavery, 


. 


, 


140 


Small Pox, 


. 


34 


, 96, 119 


Soil, 


, 


. 


9, 17 


Soldiers of Lexington, 


. 102, 105, 


103, 


107, 204 


Soldiers of the Revolution, 


, 


, 


109 


Sons of Temperance, 


. , 




. 135 


Southwick, Edward, 


, 


, 


129 


Stamp Act, 


. 




69 


Streams, 


, 


. 


13 


Streets &;c.. 


, 




. 147 


Survivors of Revolution, 


. 


. 


110 


Tanning, origin of 


- 


m 


129 


Taxes, - 


• 




- 126 


Tax on Dogs, 


• 


. 


119 


Tea, 


43 


, 75, 


100, 167 


Temperance, sketch of, - 


- 




137 


Town Clerks, 


- 




. 124 


Town of Wilton, 


« ■ 




- 46 


Town Watch, 


. 


. 


91 


Trees, 


» » 




- 10 



Vote against dancing, 

Vote recommending Independence, 

White Weed, 

Witchcraft, - 

Wreck of the Glide, 

Zeal of Ministers, 



82 
95, 96 

47 

271 

. 153 

78 



304 INDEX. 



PLATES. 

Arms of the Danvers Family, 60 

Bell Tavern and Monument, . 170 

Bowditch House, 219 

Collins House, 103 

Endicott Pear Tree, , 26 

Parris House, 278 



m 



